Labor and Civil Society: "Han Deok-su and Han Dong-hoon 'Another Rebellion'... Completely Unqualified"

Minju Nochong "Subject to Investigation as Accomplice in Rebellion"
Hanguk Nochong "No Orderly Resignation Without Impeachment"

Labor groups and civil society criticized the joint statement made on the 8th by Prime Minister Han Deok-su and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who declared they would work together to stabilize the political situation, saying, "Stop another rebellion."

Prime Minister Deok-su and Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, are announcing a joint statement containing measures to manage state affairs on the morning of the 8th at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) stated in a press release that day, "We cannot entrust national governance to the accomplices of rebellion," adding, "The lawful and orderly method for early resignation is swift impeachment. However, yesterday, the People Power Party refused to vote on impeachment and all walked out, effectively dismissing the impeachment motion against the rebel Yoon Seok-yeol."

The KCTU further said, "The People Power Party refused the parliamentary speaker's call to convene the National Assembly during the state of emergency, gathering instead at their party headquarters to condone and support the emergency martial law. Prime Minister Han and other cabinet members discussed the martial law at the Cabinet meeting. They too are subjects of investigation as accomplices in the rebellion," and added, "Entrusting the resolution of the December 3 Yoon Seok-yeol rebellion to them is like entrusting a fish shop to kittens."

The Federation of Korean Trade Unions (FKTU) said, "It seems like witnessing the ultimate shamelessness. Even during the martial law situation, the party hesitated to hold a parliamentary vote to lift the martial law and instead gathered at their party headquarters to observe the situation," adding, "Applying the dissolution criteria used for the Unified Progressive Party, which was disbanded for conspiracy to rebel, the People Power Party, which shielded the ringleader of the rebellion, is an accomplice party and should be dissolved. The parliamentary seats of its members should also be revoked."

The FKTU stated, "If Yoon Seok-yeol does not resign immediately, there is no more orderly way to step down than impeachment. The People Power Party, which has destroyed the constitutional order itself, and its leader have no qualification to resolve this chaos," and said, "The people do not want to keep Yoon Seok-yeol, who declared martial law in a non-war situation and pointed guns at his own citizens, in the presidential office for even a moment."

On the afternoon of the 6th, near National Assembly Station in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, citizens attended a candlelight rally urging the impeachment of the president, holding light sticks of the boy group NCT with "Impeachment" written on them. Photo by Yonhap News.

People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy said, "Fundamentally, Leader Han has neither the authority nor the qualification to exclude Yoon Seok-yeol from his duties or to manage state affairs. Prime Minister Han Deok-su is close to being an accomplice who abetted the rebellion. Their claim to take responsibility for state affairs is nothing but another form of rebellion not based on the constitution," and urged, "Withdraw the unacceptable measures and cooperate with the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol."

They added, "Leader Han is trying to seize control of the political situation with shallow calculations and absurd measures. The people's will is that Yoon Seok-yeol's presidency cannot be tolerated for even a day," and said, "An immediate investigation into Yoon Seok-yeol's arrest and detention for acts of rebellion must be conducted."

The Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ) said, "Who gave Leader Han the authority for an orderly resignation? Ignoring the people's demand for the president's immediate resignation is a blatant disregard and an unconstitutional claim with no constitutional basis," adding, "The declaration that the president is entrusted also presupposes that the authority can be revoked at any time, which is very dangerous. This is merely a deceptive act to buy time."

The CCEJ added, "Leader Han's attitude of trying to lead state affairs beyond his position as party leader can only be seen as political calculation to ignore the constitution and extend the regime," and said, "Now is the time for a firm response. We must respond strictly and swiftly in two directions: immediate arrest of the president on charges of rebellion and rapid advancement of impeachment procedures."

In a public statement at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Leader Han said, "Through the orderly early resignation of the president, we will minimize the confusion that could affect the Republic of Korea and its people, stabilize the political situation, and restore liberal democracy."