'Orderly Early Resignation' Sparks Disagreement in Ruling Party... Different Calculations Over 'Floor Leader' Position

Faction Fight Between Pro-Yoon and Pro-Han Over Choo Kyung-ho's Successor
Controversy Over Factional Struggle Amidst This
Korea Seems to Consider 'Presidential Resignation'

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, mentioned President Yoon Seok-yeol's 'orderly early resignation,' but controversy continues within the party. After President Yoon stated that he would 'leave it to the party,' a power struggle has erupted between pro-Han and pro-Yoon faction lawmakers, leading to a direct confrontation over the successor to Floor Leader Chu Kyung-ho, who has expressed his intention to resign.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

According to political circles on the 9th, senior lawmakers of the People Power Party are reportedly persuading Floor Leader Chu to seek reappointment. This is because the floor leader must be elected 'today,' but there is no practical alternative. The deadline for passing the budget, set by Speaker Woo Won-shik, is approaching on the 10th, and with the plan to report the second impeachment motion at the plenary session on the 12th, a sense of crisis is intensifying within the party. If the budget passes as is, it is highly likely to be processed with the reductions made by the Democratic Party of Korea, and if a special session is convened immediately on the 11th, the impeachment motion could be submitted at the next plenary session. Additionally, no concrete roadmap has been presented regarding the 'orderly early resignation' mentioned by Leader Han, leading to backlash from lawmakers.

On the other hand, the pro-Han faction opposes the reappointment of Floor Leader Chu. This is because the Democratic Party has filed a complaint against Chu and is pushing for his expulsion from the National Assembly, viewing him as an unsuitable 'counterpart' to the Democrats. The pro-Han faction appears to be considering a presidential resignation scenario as part of the early resignation plan.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Within the party, there are concerns that the factional conflict between the pro-Yoon and pro-Han groups may intensify amid the impeachment crisis. It is reported that Leader Han called pro-Han faction lawmakers to the party headquarters the previous day to gather opinions in the form of a countermeasure meeting. A People Power Party official said, "I don't understand why faction meetings keep being held in this situation," adding, "Anyway, it seems Leader Han thinks a political opportunity has come to him."

Attention is focused on whether the controversy, including the election of the floor leader, can be resolved at the lawmakers' meeting scheduled for 11 a.m. that day. First, Floor Leader Chu's intention to resign appears firm, making the election of a new floor leader inevitable. Chu told lawmakers, "I hope the procedure for electing a new floor leader will proceed quickly," and added, "I ask all lawmakers to unite their strength and wisdom around the party leader. I will also participate in that process." Leader Han, who is outside the National Assembly, is also expected to attend the meeting and persuade lawmakers regarding the early resignation.