Choi Min-hee on 'Yoon's 3-Day Resignation Rumor': "He Can't and Won't Do It"

Choi Minhee Dismisses "President Yoon Resignation Rumors"
"Cannot Resign Once Disciplinary Procedures Begin"
On Calls for Democratic Party to Accept Ruling: "Have We Ever Not Accepted?"

Choi Min-hee, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, recently dismissed rumors circulating in some political circles about President Yoon Seok-yeol's announcement of resignation, stating, "He cannot and will not do it." Choi, who is the chairperson of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Communications Committee, said in an interview on MBC Radio's 'Kwon Soon-pyo's News High Kick' on the 2nd that the rumor of "President Yoon's resignation on the 3rd" is groundless, explaining, "Once a public official enters disciplinary procedures, it is impossible to resign." Since the president is also a public official, if he faces disciplinary procedures, indictment, or impeachment, he cannot resign until the related procedures are completed.

Minhee Choi, Chairperson of the National Assembly Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Choi said, "If he were to resign like that, it would mean admitting his own fault, but it seems that Yoon Seok-yeol, the respondent, would gain neither political benefit nor practical advantage from it," adding, "For there to be a political effect of rallying the far-right forces, there would need to be very strong criticism of the Constitutional Court's ruling, but currently, no one can predict the outcome of the Constitutional Court's decision, so it seems unlikely that such a risky move would be made."

However, it is known that there are no legal provisions regarding the president's resignation during the term. According to the three precedents of presidential resignation by Lee Seung-man, Yun Bo-seon, and Choi Kyu-ha, it is interpreted that the resignation takes effect immediately when the president makes a public address declaring resignation or submits a letter of resignation to the National Assembly. In the event of the president's resignation, the Prime Minister and then the Deputy Prime Minister for Economy assume the role of acting president in order. Furthermore, a presidential election must be held within 60 days after the vacancy to elect a successor president, who will start a new term as stipulated by the Constitution (currently 5 years under the Constitution).

Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is shaking hands with Chairperson Choi Min-hee during the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee's audit of the Korea Communications Commission. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the same day, regarding the People Power Party's call for the Democratic Party to accept the Constitutional Court's ruling, Choi said, "The person who really needs to issue a message of acceptance is Yoon Seok-yeol, the respondent," adding, "The Democratic Party has accepted all previous Constitutional Court rulings. When the Constitutional Court dismissed the case 4 to 4 regarding Lee Jin-sook, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, who neither maintained political neutrality nor had qualifications and was embroiled in corruption allegations, the Democratic Party accepted it and even summoned her to the National Assembly." He continued, "The Democratic Party has accepted all public officials impeached by them up to now, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Rather, it is the People Power Party, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and President Yoon Seok-yeol who are not accepting the Constitutional Court's decisions," pointing out, "Prime Minister Han has still not appointed Ma Eun-hyuk (a Constitutional Court justice nominee)."

Regarding whether President Yoon will appear at the impeachment trial verdict hearing, Choi said, "(If he appears) it would be taking a great risk," explaining, "Depending on the verdict, he would enter as the president but leave as a private citizen and suspect, so I doubt he would take such a risk."

Choi emphasized, "If the impeachment is upheld, whether President Yoon will be detained will become an issue. It seems likely that he will be detained," adding, "Investigations will begin into many issues raised so far concerning the president and his spouse, including the Myeong Tae-gyun gate. Since the Yangpyeong Expressway case has also been reported, I believe investigations will start. Now, all privileges as president are gone."