Handonghun "I Do Not Regret Yoon's Impeachment... I Will Only Think of the Country and the People"

Refusal to Resign Amid Calls for Resignation
"Tried to Ensure Orderly Departure, but Yoon Did Not Keep Promise"

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said on the 14th regarding the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol in the plenary session, "I take today's result very seriously," and added, "As the leader of the ruling party, I will correct the mistakes together with the people and protect democracy." Although Han refused calls for resignation, the leadership is on the verge of collapse as senior party members have resigned.

Han made these remarks to reporters after attending the People Power Party's parliamentary meeting held immediately after the impeachment motion against President Yoon passed in the plenary session.

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the members' meeting held on the 14th at the National Assembly after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol was passed. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Regarding calls for resignation within the party, he said, "I intend to carry out my duties." This expressed his refusal to resign. He also rebutted the criticism directed at him during the parliamentary meeting. He explained, "Many say I should take responsibility and resign," but added, "In this serious illegal martial law situation, I have tried to minimize harm to the people and manage the situation." He continued, "Therefore, orderly resignation plans, including early resignation, were also thoroughly considered," but "they fell through because the president did not keep his promises."

Regarding the impeachment of President Yoon, he said, "I judged that it was urgently necessary to suspend the president's duties," and added, "In the process, I only thought about the country and the people. I do not regret it." About the fact that at least 12 votes in favor of impeachment came from within the party, he said, "It was each lawmaker's individual judgment," and "It must have been a very difficult decision for the party that produced the president."

On whether to transition to an emergency response committee, he said, "The impeachment decision just came out, and the situation is chaotic, so let's take some time and see." However, senior party members In Yo-han, Kim Min-jeon, Jang Dong-hyuk, and Jin Jong-oh expressed their intention to resign on the same day, putting the leadership on the brink of collapse.