Presidential Office Reacts Sharply to Yoon's Resignation Possibility... Kwon Young-se Says "Not the Right Way"

Aides Deny Possibility of Resignation, Call It an Opposition Plot

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the '8th Hearing on the Impeachment Trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol' held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on February 13, 2025. Photo by Joint Press Corps

As the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol is increasingly likely to be delivered in early to mid-next month, the People Power Party is grappling with a 'Plan B.' In particular, an unexpected scenario has emerged from some opposition and conservative circles suggesting that President Yoon might choose to resign just before the impeachment ruling, intensifying the behind-the-scenes public opinion battle.

On the 17th, the Blue House distanced itself from the recently circulating resignation scenario of President Yoon. A Blue House official stated, "The resignation rumors about President Yoon are baseless fabrications," adding, "The sudden emergence of these resignation rumors is not only hard to accept but also highly unlikely to materialize."

Previously, conservative commentator Jo Gap-je mentioned the possibility of President Yoon's resignation, arguing, "Since President Yoon's approval rating is quite high, if he decides to resign, he could create favorable public opinion and shake up the election landscape." In response, Blue House aides dismissed this, saying, "We believe there is no chance that President Yoon would choose to resign," and "That claim comes from someone who does not understand President Yoon's character at all." The Blue House aides are closely monitoring the Constitutional Court's situation, placing more weight on the possibility of dismissal of the impeachment and President Yoon's return.

Professor Jang Young-soo of Korea University Law School said, "Although there is no explicit provision regarding the president, in the case of other impeachment subjects, dismissal is not possible," adding, "This is intended to prevent avoiding the disadvantages of removal through mid-term dismissal or voluntary resignation."

The calculations within the People Power Party are complicated. It is difficult to ignore the practical issue that if the impeachment is upheld, a presidential election must be held within 60 days. A key ruling party official said, "With the party's approval ratings showing signs of recovery, it is time to speak with one voice for regime re-creation," adding, "While opinions that we should prepare for the impeachment ruling are gaining momentum, the majority still believe it is premature."

As the sensitive keyword of early resignation attracted attention in Yeouido's political circles, the ruling party leadership moved to quell the issue. On the 17th, Kwon Young-se, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, attended the Kwanhun Club debate and said, "Putting aside whether resignation is legally possible, does resigning resolve all the issues?" He added, "It does not. It is inappropriate. It is not the right way."

Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Kwanhun Club invitation debate held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 17th, answering questions. 2025.2.17 Photo by Jo Yong-jun