Anna Jiwon Park has been covering the politics at The Korea Times since the summer of 2024, when she joined the press pool for the Office of the President in Korea. Prior to that, she spent about five years reporting extensively on financial markets, regulatory authorities and the financial industry. She joined The Korea Times in 2019 after spending eight years as a broadcast journalist at Arirang TV, Korea’s leading global broadcaster, covering politics, defense and culture.
Despite failed impeachment vote, president's hands off from state affairs
Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party leave the party's parliamentary meeting room amid protests at the National Assembly in Seoul, Saturday, after they boycott the impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law declaration. Yonhap
By Anna J. Park
Yoon keeps silence following failed impeachment motion
Despite President Yoon Suk Yeol narrowly avoiding impeachment, his position has now entered a phase where effective governance appears unfeasible.
His impeachment vote at the National Assembly over his short-lived martial law was scrapped on Saturday as the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted it and made the vote fail to meet the quorum.
Yoon has chosen to remain silent. After delivering a public address earlier in the day to apologize for the confusion his martial law declaration caused, he reportedly retreated to his residence and watched the impeachment vote with key aides.
After the vote was scrapped, the presidential office chose not to issue a statement, saying, "We have no comment."
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, right, and People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon meet at the prime minister's residence in Seoul, Saturday, before the National Assembly's impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk Yeol. Courtesy of PPP
Prime minister, PPP leader to discuss how to settle situation
Although the immediate threat of impeachment has been averted, the president's future is expected to remain at the forefront of the political landscape for the time being.
In his earlier address, Yoon said that he would entrust all state affairs, including decisions about his term, to the ruling party, adding, "The party and the government will take joint responsibility for managing state affairs going forward."
Speaking to reporters at the Assembly after the scrapped vote, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said the president's comment of entrusting state affairs to the party means "virtually a promise to resign."
"To minimize confusion, we'll seek orderly resignation of him. Until the resignation, the president will effectively be excluded from duties, and the prime minister will consult with the party to ensure that the administration of state affairs proceeds without disruption," he said.
He added that the PPP will discuss the matter with the opposition bloc.
However, he did not elaborate on what "orderly resignation" means or how much the president will be excluded from his duties.
Upon his remarks, the PPP leader and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo are expected to play pivotal roles in handling urgent state affairs in the foreseeable future.
The two held an emergency meeting on Saturday, shortly after Yoon's public address. While they reportedly exchanged views on strategies to manage the current crisis, the specific details of their discussion have not been disclosed.
The prime minister is anticipated to prioritize resolving stalled policy issues within the scope of his legal authority.
Following the opposition party’s unilateral passage of a reduced budget proposal, the resolution of next year’s budget, which has remained stalled, is expected to become one of the top priorities in state affairs. He is expected to maintain close communication with the PPP leader to ensure stable governance in addressing these policy issues.
Within the ruling bloc, other political responses, such as shortening the presidential term through a constitutional amendment, granting the prime minister greater executive authority or forming a coalition cabinet, are being discussed.
However, implementing such measures would require agreement from the opposition, a prospect that seems unlikely given the current political confrontations surrounding martial law and impeachment.
People participate in a protest, urging President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the National Assembly in Seoul, Saturday. Yonhap
Political unrest expected to escalate
The political turmoil is expected to intensify, with ongoing protests from opposition parties and civic groups calling for Yoon’s resignation.
The opposition bloc has already announced its intention to reintroduce the impeachment motion.
Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), said his party will immediately convene an extraordinary Assembly session on Wednesday, after the regular session closes Tuesday, to pursue impeachment again.
The DPK remains firm in its push for impeachment and plans to hold another vote on Wednesday.
President Yoon Suk Yeol particiaptes in a prayer meeting in Seoul, Nov. 22. Joint Press Corps