'Orderly Resignation' Becomes Difficult... Han Dong-hoon May Turn to 'Support Impeachment'

'Difficulties Realizing Early Resignation Scenario
Han Dong-hoon "Must Participate in Vote"
Kwon Seong-dong "Leadership Should Navigate the Chaos"'

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, faced a major turning point on the 14th ahead of the second vote on the 'impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol.' This is because pro-impeachment sentiment spread within the People Power Party, making Han's previously mentioned 'orderly early resignation' difficult. The ranks of the 'pro-Han Dong-hoon faction' also appeared to be shaken. Some speculated that as pro-impeachment views spread, there was an attempt to use this opportunity to oust Han. It is said that Kwon Seong-dong, a pro-Yoon faction lawmaker running for the next floor leader, is working with the presidential office to remove Han.

On the 11th, Han delivered a so-called 'early resignation (presidential resignation in February or March next year followed by a presidential election within 60 days)' roadmap to the presidential office. Lee Yang-su, chairman of the People Power Party's Task Force for Political Stabilization, told reporters that morning, "From today, it is time to persuade the president," adding, "The persuasion period may end in one day or continue until tomorrow. I believe Han will persuade the presidential office well with this agenda and the opinions raised by lawmakers."

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is attending an emergency members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, it was reported that the presidential office is effectively taking the opposite stance. They believe 'impeachment is better' than early resignation. If this happens, Han will fail both to unify the party's position and to persuade the presidential office. With former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho expressing his intention to resign, the People Power Party is set to elect a new floor leader today, and the direction will likely change significantly depending on whether pro-Yoon faction lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong or non-Yoon faction lawmaker Kim Tae-ho is chosen. If Kim Tae-ho becomes floor leader, the People Power Party is highly likely to participate in the impeachment vote on the 14th.

Currently, within the People Power Party, the prevailing opinion seems to be that the second impeachment vote should be conducted autonomously. This trend is accelerating the passage of the impeachment motion. On the 11th, People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jae-seop also publicly expressed support for the impeachment motion. If the impeachment motion is actually passed, Han is likely to be attacked with a 'traitor frame' within the party. This is why there are talks that he could become a 'second Yoo Seung-min or Lee Jun-seok.' On the same day, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo criticized on his social media, "When Park Geun-hye was impeached, Lee Jung-hyun took responsibility, resigned as party leader, and left the party," adding, "Moreover, hasn't Han Dong-hoon only caused conflict with the president and thrown the party and country into chaos?"

Regarding the 'Han Dong-hoon ousting theory,' lawmaker Kwon emphasized that the collapse of the 'Han Dong-hoon regime' is "unthinkable." On the same day, Kwon wrote on his SNS, "There is a conspiracy theory that the pro-Yoon faction is working together to collapse the Han Dong-hoon regime or create a second Lee Jun-seok incident, targeting my candidacy," calling it "truly humiliating and malicious." He added, "Han is a legitimate leader elected with 63% support at the party convention," emphasizing, "The leadership must take the lead to navigate through the turmoil." It is also reported that Han, who has been telling those around him to "participate in the vote," may soon announce a pro-impeachment stance.