▲ On the morning of the 16th, the leader of the People’s Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, is preparing for a press conference to announce his resignation at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
Leader Han Dong-hoon of the People’s Power Party resigned from his position today (16th).
In a press conference at the National Assembly, Han stated, “With the resignation of the supreme council members, the supreme council is in disarray, making it impossible for me to perform my duties as party leader.” He further announced, “I am stepping down from the party leadership.”
Han’s resignation comes 146 days after he was elected as party leader at the convention on July 23.
He expressed his sincere apologies to all the citizens who suffered due to the recent martial law situation and bowed deeply.
He also extended his apologies once more, saying, “I am very sorry to our supporters who are heartbroken by the impeachment,” and bowed again.
Continuing, Han said, “Keeping in mind such sentiments, I tried tirelessly to find a better path for this country, not impeachment, but was ultimately unable to do so. It’s all because of my shortcomings. I’m sorry.”
Han mentioned President Yoon Seok-yeol’s declaration of martial law and the National Assembly’s lifting of martial law, stating, “On the night of the 3rd, the party leader and lawmakers of the People’s Power Party, together with the people, led the way to block the illegal martial law imposed by the president produced by our party. This is the true spirit of conservatism.”
He emphasized, “If we align with extremists like election fraud conspiracy theorists and radical YouTubers or are engulfed in the fear they commercially produce, the future of conservatism will not exist.”
Han stated, “If martial law was not lifted that night, a bloody incident could have occurred between our citizens and young soldiers who took to the streets starting the next morning. That night, I was terribly afraid of not being able to prevent such a thing.”
He further emphasized, “Even though it was done by a president produced by our party, being misunderstood as supporting the illegal martial law using military force betrays this great nation and its people, the spirit of conservatism, and the shining achievements of our party.”
On his stance of supporting impeachment, Han said, “Thinking of our supporters who are heartbroken, it’s truly painful, but I still have no regrets because I decided never to betray South Korea and the sovereign people no matter what.”
He mentioned, “Saying martial law is wrong does not justify the rampage and criminal allegations of the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung. The timer on Lee’s trial is still going. There isn’t much time left.”
Members of Han’s fan club, “With Hoonie,” visited the National Assembly today, chanting “Han Dong-hoon” and declaring, “We will protect Han Dong-hoon.”
After concluding the press conference and on his way out of the National Assembly, Han told them, “Do not try to protect me. I will protect you. I won’t give up.”
After the National Assembly passed President Yoon’s impeachment proposal on the 14th, Han initially stated he would continue his role as leader. However, with all five elected supreme council members indicating their intent to resign, the “Han Dong-hoon leadership” was automatically set for dismantlement.
With Han’s official resignation today, the People’s Power Party will transition into an emergency response committee system.
(Photo = Yonhap News)