On the 9th, the People Power Party decided to form a task force (TF) team to discuss national stability and an orderly resignation plan for President Yoon Seok-yeol. However, the specific timing for President Yoon’s resignation was not decided immediately. The party plans to gather opinions through meetings with senior lawmakers and emergency general assemblies.
Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, held a closed highest-ranking meeting at the National Assembly on the same day for the first time since the impeachment motion against the president was dismissed. The meeting focused on launching a TF to discuss political stabilization, support for national stability, and legislative support.
During the meeting, discussions reportedly took place on a detailed roadmap for President Yoon’s orderly resignation and strategies to address the public sentiment following the impeachment motion’s failure. Kwak Gyu-taek, the party’s chief spokesperson, told reporters that the TF would be composed of People Power Party members and would be actively operated.
Regarding national governance support, Kwak explained that the party would handle practical tasks to assist the government. On legislative support and review, he mentioned that the TF would promptly address legislative support for the current state and other situations like martial law. He noted the team is practical and operates swiftly, indicating not everything can be managed solely by the party leader.
Statements made by the highest-ranking officials on President Yoon’s resignation timing were not disclosed. Kwak emphasized that various opinions were expressed, but the specifics of the discussions were kept confidential upon request. Questions about immediate resignation or participation in the voting on the re-submission of the impeachment motion on the 14th were also confirmed as discussed, but no detailed information was provided.
The decision to keep statements from the meeting, typically made public, confidential seems to be due to a deteriorating public sentiment after the failure of the president’s impeachment vote and debates over the party and prime minister’s governance constitutionality and legality. Han did not brief the reporters after the meeting and headed to his office.
The meeting was attended by key party officials, including policy chief Kim Sang-hoon and secretary general Seo Beom-su. Floor leader Chu Kyung-ho did not attend but sent a message to party lawmakers, urging the swift election of a new floor leader, following his prior announcement of intent to resign after the failed impeachment vote on the 7th.
Han plans to share the discussions from the meeting at an emergency general assembly at 11 a.m. The assembly was reportedly convened, focusing on lawmakers in charge of standing committee clerks. In the afternoon, Han will meet with senior lawmakers with three or more terms to gather additional opinions.