Hwang Kyo-ahn and Hong Joon-pyo Criticize Han Dong-hoon for Supporting Impeachment Bill: "As Light as a Feather"

Hwang Kyo-an "Korea Seems Unaware of What Treason Is"

Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, has shifted his stance to support the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, sparking criticism from senior conservative figures.

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn criticized Han on Facebook on the 12th, saying, "You are as light as a feather," and added, "You don't even understand what treason is."

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is holding an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the 12th regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also criticized Han by comparing him to a 'weeping willow.' On Facebook that day, Mayor Hong said, "There is a saying, pungjeonse-ryu (風前細柳), which means a weeping willow in front of the wind," adding, "It refers to a person who wavers without conviction. Let's be consistent. Let's not sway like a weeping willow in front of the wind."

Earlier, Han stated that since President Yoon showed no intention of early resignation, the party should support impeachment as the party line. Initially, the People Power Party decided to oppose the impeachment motion as the party line during the vote on the 7th. Subsequently, President Yoon proposed a 'orderly resignation' roadmap involving stepping down in February or March and holding an early presidential election in April or May. However, after indicating he would not accept President Yoon's roadmap, Han changed his position to support the impeachment motion.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Han said, "Now, suspending the president's execution of duties through impeachment is the only way to solve the problem." He continued, "The president must be immediately excluded from state affairs, including military command authority," emphasizing, "There is now only one effective method. At the next vote, our party members must attend the session and participate in the vote according to their conscience and beliefs."