**National Address and Press Conference on the 7th**
The Presidential Office announced to the press around 10 PM on the 4th that President Yoon Suk-yeol will hold a national address and press conference on the 7th. It is unusual to notify about a presidential press conference so late at night. Initially, the Office suggested that President Yoon would express his stance regarding the ruling party’s demand for reform after his overseas tour in mid-month. However, the atmosphere changed within a few hours. The office stated, “After considering the opinions of his aides, President Yoon decided it would be better to address the nation before his overseas trip.” The upcoming press conference, which precedes the midpoint of President Yoon’s term on the 10th, will be his fourth since his inauguration.
Within the ruling party, there is an interpretation that President Yoon expedited the timing of the conference following calls for reform from figures like Han Dong-hoon, party leader, former provincial governors, senior advisors, veteran lawmakers, and pro-Yoon members. A source from the ruling party said, “Allowing more time to pass without directly addressing the risks associated with first lady Kim Kun-hee and the political broker Myung Tae-kyun’s related allegations could lead public opinion to irreversibly deteriorate.”
During the press conference, it is expected that President Yoon will propose a solution for the risks involving first lady Kim and elaborate on the allegations of political interference related to Mr. Myung. He is also anticipated to clarify his position on the opposition party’s impeachment maneuvers and discussions of constitutional amendment to shorten his term. A ruling party official remarked, “Announcing the intention to take questions highlights President Yoon’s resolve to address all issues without avoidance.” Speculation suggests that the president may announce significant ‘forward-thinking positions.’
Earlier, calls for reform regarding President Yoon emerged within the ruling party. At the party’s supreme council meeting, Han Dong-hoon stated, “It is deeply regrettable for the people that recordings and texts between the President, his wife, and a political broker have been disclosed,” urging the president to transparently address the public’s concerns, apologize, and take necessary measures. Han further demanded a complete overhaul of the presidential aides, drastic reshuffle, cessation of the first lady’s external activities, a shift in state policies, and a swift investigation related to Mr. Myung. This demand came four days after the release of President Yoon’s recorded phone conversation with Mr. Myung.
In response to Han’s public demand for an apology from President Yoon, a pro-Yoon insider said, “This reflects the judgment that the current political situation is extremely severe for the ruling party.” Han added that public sentiment has sharply turned and acknowledged the painful reality that the public’s disapproval has grown against unilateral governance, insisting on the necessity of changing state policies before it’s too late.
The day before, following statements from the provincial mayor/governor association and a private meeting of senior advisors, a group of three-term lawmakers from the party conveyed to floor leader Chu Kyung-ho that transformation of both the party and the presidential office is necessary. After the meeting, three-term lawmaker Kim Sung-won shared with reporters, “To overcome the current situation, more communication with Yongsan is needed,” suggesting that finding a unified action plan without division is optimal. Alongside the calls for reform directed at the president, there were also demands for Han to engage in communication with the presidential office to avoid division within the ruling party.
Han escalated criticism against the opposition party, particularly targeting the Democratic Party and its recent outdoor protest rally against the government, and the mention within the party of a constitutional amendment to shorten the president’s term. He criticized this as an attempt to “suspend the nation’s constitutional systems to create a world for crime-suspect Lee Jae-myung,” and pledged that “whatever form of suspension, the people and the People Power Party will block it.” A People Power Party official emphasized that calls for reform are not ‘betrayal’ but preemptive measures to block the opposition’s impeachment efforts.