Han Dong-hoon Resigns as People Power Party Leader... "Yoon's Impeachment Is Painful but I Do Not Regret It" (Update)

"Normal Mission Execution Impossible Due to Top Leadership Collapse"
"Deep Apologies to Supporters Hurt by Impeachment"
"Even if Martial Law Was Wrong, It Does Not Justify Democratic Party's Reckless Actions"

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, stepped down from his position on the 16th. Regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, Han expressed his thoughts, saying, "It is painful, but I do not regret it."

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 16th, expressing his position on his future plans. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the same day, Han held a press conference at the National Assembly and stated, "I will step down from the position of leader of the People Power Party," adding, "With the resignation of the Supreme Council members, the Supreme Council has collapsed, making it impossible to perform normal duties as party leader."

Han apologized again for President Yoon’s declaration of martial law. He said, "I apologize to the people who suffered from this martial law incident," and added, "In 2024, in an advanced country like South Korea, how angry and disappointed you must be about martial law." He also expressed regret to party members suffering from the impeachment, saying, "I am very sorry." Han stated, "I tried every possible way to find a better path for this country, not impeachment, but I failed. It is all because of my shortcomings."

Han also mentioned that on the 3rd, when martial law was lifted, he and People Power Party lawmakers led the lifting of martial law, saying, "The president produced by our party stopped an illegal martial law," and "I believe that is the true spirit of conservatism."

Handonghun, leader of the People Power Party, is shaking hands with Kwon Seongdong, floor leader, on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He said, "If martial law had not been lifted that night, a bloody conflict could have occurred between citizens who took to the streets the next morning and young soldiers," and added, "I was very afraid that such a thing might happen." Han also said, "It is a betrayal of this great country and its people, who achieved both industrialization and democratization, the spirit of conservatism, and the shining achievements of our party, to be misunderstood as supporting illegal martial law by mobilizing the military, as the president produced by our party did."

Referring to a question from a reporter during a party meeting held immediately after the passage of the impeachment motion, when he was pressured by party lawmakers to resign, Han said, "Many thoughts briefly crossed my mind, and thinking of the supporters who are heartbroken is painful, but I still do not regret it."

He continued to criticize Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. He said, "Just because martial law was wrong does not justify the reckless actions and criminal acts of the Democratic Party and Leader Lee," and added, "Leader Lee’s trial timer keeps running. Not much time is left."