SEOUL – The impending impeachment motion against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has become a pivotal political drama, with its outcome potentially hinging on his former ally, ruling People Power Party (PPP) chief Han Dong-hoon. Once a close confidant of the President, Han’s recent shift in stance could determine the President’s future.
Han, who had vowed on December 5 to block the impeachment motion, made a dramatic U-turn the next morning. He declared that Yoon must be immediately suspended from his duties, labeling the President a danger to the public following revelations of his alleged orders to impose martial law and arrest key political figures.
This stunning reversal came after a deputy director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) accused Yoon of instructing him to detain political opponents on December 3. The martial law, reportedly in effect for a few hours, targeted figures like opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, Reform Party leader Cho Kuk, and even Han himself.
Han’s decision has shaken the PPP, which remains divided. While the opposition bloc, led by the Democratic Party, has 192 seats in the 300-seat parliament, it needs at least eight votes from PPP lawmakers to secure the two-thirds majority required for impeachment. Han’s influence over 18 PPP lawmakers may provide the necessary support.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung welcomed Han’s shift, calling it “a bit late, but fortunate.” However, senior PPP leaders criticized Han’s stance, accusing him of jeopardizing the party. Some party members worry that impeaching Yoon would hand power to the opposition, evoking memories of President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment in 2017, which led to conservative losses.
President Yoon, concerned about the developments, met Han privately to deny the allegations. Despite the meeting, Han maintained his position and urged lawmakers to “make the responsible decision” when voting takes place on December 7.
Political analyst Ahn Byong-jin noted that Yoon’s impeachment now seems likely, though he cautioned that South Korean politics remain unpredictable. Some speculate Yoon might even welcome the challenge at the Constitutional Court, known for his risk-taking tendencies.
If the impeachment motion passes, the Constitutional Court will review the case to decide its validity. Lawyer Choi Ji-yeon, a PPP supporter, expressed frustration over the unfolding events but urged for Yoon’s public explanation. “It’s not that I’m defending his martial law declaration, but I think it’s fair to hear his side of the story,” she said.
As the hours tick down to the December 7 vote, the nation watches closely, awaiting a decision that could reshape South Korea’s political landscape.