The Tamesis
December 9, 2024
Seoul – The prime minister and the leader of the ruling conservative party jointly announced plans on Sunday to succeed President Yun Seok-yeol, saying he would no longer be involved in running state affairs, a move condemned by the main opposition party as unconstitutional.
In public speeches by Prime Minister Han Deok-soo and Han Dong-hoon, chairman of the ruling People's Power Party, the two said they would cooperate on business matters related to “national governance.” They did announce when such a transition would occur. Han Dong-hoon said they planned to develop a plan for the president's “orderly resignation” but did not elaborate on how their decision would be consistent with the constitution.
“President Yoon will not be involved in handling national affairs including foreign policy even before resigning,” Han Dong-hoon said in a joint public speech.
“We plan to minimize the unrest (stemming from Tuesday's martial law order) through the orderly resignation of President Yoon,” he added.
The announcement came as part of the second meeting between the prime minister and ruling party leaders after Yun unexpectedly declared martial law late Tuesday night.
Regarding the details of Yoon Eun-hye's “orderly resignation”, Han Dongxun said that it will be “quickly announced after internal discussions (in the ruling party).” He highlighted remarks made by Yoon in a brief televised address broadcast on Saturday morning, in which the president said he would “let” his party “take steps to stabilize the political situation,” including on the issue of his tenure. Han said, “(Based on President Yoon's remarks) there will be no chaos in the process of pursuing the president's early resignation.”
South Korean Prime Minister Han Deok-soo echoed the ruling party leader's sentiments, saying the cabinet plans to take a “modest” stance and cooperate with the People's Power Party on “matters related to national governance.”
“The management of state affairs must not be hindered,” the Prime Minister said, stressing the urgent need to pass a state budget to ensure effective governance against a backdrop of political uncertainty.
Although Kim Jong-un expressed agreement with President South Korea on the need for cooperation between the cabinet and the ruling party in managing national affairs, he did not discuss President Yun's possible resignation in his public speeches.
The prime minister and the leaders of the ruling party plan to meet at least once a week for the time being to address the task of “minimizing the damage” caused by the current political unrest to the people, the joint statement said. The meeting between Han Dong-hoon and Han Deok-soo is expected to replace the weekly meetings between Yoon Eun-hye and the prime minister.
The Prime Minister's Office announced in the afternoon that the next weekly meeting between Yoon Eun-hye and Han Deok-soo scheduled for Monday was cancelled.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik and main opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung strongly criticized the ruling camp's plan and condemned it as unconstitutional.
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung said Han's proposal to share the president's power was “totally puzzling.”
“The people elected Mr. Yoon, not Mr. Han, as president. This is another coup that undermines the constitutional order.
Lee said that contrary to South Korea's president's claim that Yoon would no longer exercise presidential powers, the president continued to do so when he approved Lee Sang-min's resignation as interior minister on Sunday.
Lee said he believed Yin was capable of declaring martial law again “at any time.”
“It is very dangerous that someone like Yin still has authority over our military. Yin must be permanently removed from office through a court trial,” he said.
National Assembly Speaker Oh Won-sik said the prime minister and ruling party leaders violated the constitution by running the country in their own way.
“The prime minister and the ruling party announced that they will jointly exercise presidential power, but no one has given them this power. This is obviously unconstitutional.” This is extreme arrogance and disrespect for national sovereignty and the constitution.
Wu said statements from the ruling party and the prime minister had misled the public.
“As Speaker, I'm warning you,” he said.
Rep. Kim Min-seok, a member of the Democratic Party's Supreme Committee and considered the No. 2 leader of the main opposition party, said the ruling party's proposal to succeed the president was “unconstitutional and illegal.”
“No one gave Han Dongxun such power. This is just another rebellion,” he said.
Kim said Yin and all those involved in Tuesday's martial law order should be arrested immediately. The Democratic lawmaker said that included the prime minister, who was at a cabinet meeting before the president declared martial law.
“The prime minister cannot be responsible for running the country (like this). This is not only a violation of the constitution, but a major accomplice. He was in a position where he knew everything, but he let it happen,” Kim said.
Kim Jong-un also opposed the ruling party's suggestion that Yoon Eun-hye step down “in an orderly and smooth way”, saying the president needs to step down “immediately and as soon as possible.”
“South Korea cannot be safe until Mr. Yoon is no longer president,” he said.
The Democratic lawmaker said his party would suspend Yoon until Christmas.
Yoon recused himself from an opposition-led impeachment motion in the National Assembly on Saturday. A majority of ruling party MPs – 105 out of 108 in total – boycotted the plenary vote, preventing the motion from receiving the two-thirds quorum required to pass. However, the main opposition said it plans to “repeatedly” propose new impeachment motions against Yin until one is passed.
