Ruling party chief remains firm on suspending Yoon's duties

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : December 6, 2024, 17:52 Updated : December 6, 2024, 19:31
People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon answers questions from reporters at the National Assembly on Dec. 6, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 6 (AJP) - Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), remains adamant about the need to suspend President Yoon Suk Yeol's duties, even after a brief meeting with him on Friday.

Sharing details of his meeting with Yoon at the presidential residence in Hannam-dong in Seoul, Han said he "heard nothing" from Yoon to change his stance after discussing about his abrupt declaration of martial law, which ended in a chaotic overnight fiasco earlier this week.

"While the party has decided to oppose Yoon's impeachment, I still believe his duties should be suspended," Han said at a closed-door PPP meeting.

Han said Yoon denied giving any direct orders for detaining politicians on the fateful night martial law was declared on Tuesday. Han also added that the embattled president appeared to have no plans for any special measures to address the situation.

Han emphasized the need for decisive action. "It is time to make responsible decisions. The public is anxious that such incidents might happen again, and we must address this."

Han, who was once a close aide to Yoon but has since become estranged, previously opposed Yoon's impeachment, claiming that could lead to "unprepared chaos" and also clarified his decision not to "defend" Yoon's "unconstitutional martial law."

But he suddenly shifted his stance in about a day, arguing that suspending Yoon's duties is necessary to protect the nation and its people, based on evidence he obtained, which showed attempts to arrest several key political figures opposed to him.

An impeachment motion against Yoon, related to his short-lived martial law, was sent to the National Assembly's plenary session on Thursday.

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