South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duk-soo addressed the public on Dec. 8, 2024, outlining measures to restore political stability following the declaration of a state of emergency. The two leaders held a press conference in Yeouido after meeting earlier at the PPP headquarters.
“We will minimize chaos during the president’s orderly resignation and work to restore the nation’s economic and diplomatic reputation,” Han Dong-hoon said. “We will outline concrete steps after internal discussions within the party.” He also promised, “Before his resignation, the president will not be involved in governance, including foreign affairs.”
Han further emphasized, “To ensure no gaps in governance, we will establish regular meetings between the PPP leader and the prime minister, at least once a week, with ongoing communication to discuss urgent national issues such as the economy, foreign relations, and defense.”
Prime Minister Han Duk-soo said, “Maintaining a strong Korea-U.S. alliance and robust trilateral security cooperation between Korea, the U.S., and Japan is of utmost importance.” He said, “We will continue to work tirelessly to preserve our trusted relationships with our allies, and I assure you that every member of the Cabinet, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will focus on the will of the people and work closely with the ruling party to stabilize governance.”
Addressing the opposition, Prime Minister Han said, “In this time of crisis, it is essential that the government’s proposed budget and related bills pass to ensure normal governance. Once the budget is finalized, ministries can begin executing necessary measures to restore the economy and support citizens.”
PPP leader: “As the ruling party, we humbly accept the people’s judgment”
Han Dong-hoon denounced the emergency declaration as an “anti-constitutional act that undermines South Korea’s liberal democracy,” but noted that the National Assembly had voted to end the emergency after just 2.5 hours. He emphasized that the emergency was ultimately halted within five hours in a constitutional manner, underscoring that South Korea’s system was functioning properly and its democracy remains strong.
“However, the national anxiety and damage caused by the emergency declaration are severe and irreversible,” Han continued. “The public’s disappointment and distrust in the government are significant. I believe most people think President Yoon Seok-youl should step down, as it is no longer possible for him to govern effectively for the remainder of his term. As the ruling party, we humbly accept the people’s judgment.”
He added that an orderly resignation of the president would minimize potential chaos and stabilize the political situation, ensuring a return to normal governance and the restoration of democracy.
Han also stressed the need to protect South Korea’s economy and international standing. “The already challenging economy has worsened because of this situation, and concerns about South Korea’s security and stability have been raised by our allies, including the U.S. and France,” he said. “We will minimize chaos during the president’s orderly resignation and work to restore the nation’s economic and diplomatic reputation. We will outline concrete steps after internal discussions within the party. President Yoon has promised to delegate the matter of political stability, including his resignation, to the party, and we do not anticipate any disruptions during this process.”
Han assured the public that until the president’s departure, Prime Minister Han Duk-soo would work closely with the party to ensure there would be no setbacks in governance, particularly regarding the economy and public welfare.
“Before his resignation, the president will not be involved in governance, including foreign affairs. We will ensure that both the public and the international community do not have concerns about this,” Han said. “The investigation into the state of emergency will be thorough, impartial, and transparent, with no protection for any individual, including the president.”
Han continued, “We must focus on people’s livelihoods. Overcoming this crisis is the most urgent and important task we face. The impact on foreign relations and the economy is significant, and we must minimize these effects to reduce the harm to the public. This is our primary goal. To ensure no gaps in governance, we will establish regular meetings between the PPP leader and the Prime Minister, at least once a week, with ongoing communication to discuss urgent national issues such as the economy, foreign relations, and defense.”
“The most important thing now is stabilizing the people’s lives,” he said. “We will ensure that chaos and conflict do not disrupt the lives of our citizens. We will resolve the current crisis and restore stability to South Korea, focusing solely on the well-being of the public.”
Prime Minister: “Now is the time for us to unite as a nation”
Prime Minister Han Duk-soo, acknowledging his heavy responsibility as the head of the government, expressed regret over the current situation. “I sincerely apologize to the public,” he said. “The government will act according to the will of the people, prioritizing their needs to resolve this situation swiftly.”
He then emphasized that a functioning government is crucial for the country’s stability. “We must ensure that there are no gaps in governance,” he stated.
“Each day, I will dedicate myself to serving the people to ensure the nation’s security and well-being remain stable. The hardships caused by sluggish domestic consumption are undeniable, and concerns about the risks to the economy are growing. The international situation is also uncertain,” he continued. “Maintaining a strong Korea-U.S. alliance and robust trilateral security cooperation between Korea, the U.S., and Japan is of utmost importance. We will continue to work tirelessly to preserve our trusted relationships with our allies, and I assure you that every member of the Cabinet, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will focus on the will of the people and work closely with the ruling party to stabilize governance.”
Prime Minister Han emphasized, “We will establish a solid security posture and manage our international relations effectively to maintain stability. We will enhance emergency economic response systems to assess and address potential risks in financial and foreign exchange markets swiftly. Ensuring public safety and preparedness for any disasters will also be a top priority, so that no additional anxiety arises among the people.”
He continued, “Now is the time for us to unite as a nation. We have faced many hardships that no other country has experienced, and each time, it has been the wisdom and collective will of our people that has allowed us to overcome these challenges. I believe that, once again, our people will show this unique wisdom in overcoming the current situation.”
He also made a direct appeal to the opposition parties: “In this time of crisis, it is essential that the government’s proposed budget and related bills pass to ensure normal governance. Once the budget is finalized, ministries can begin executing necessary measures to restore the economy and support citizens. Every country and economic entity around the world is watching South Korea.”
Prime Minister Han concluded, “I also hope that, under the leadership of Speaker of the National Assembly, U Won-sik, the parties will engage in dialogue and compromise, rooting these values in the National Assembly. The government will take the initiative to lower itself and seek cooperation. We are in difficult times, but I believe that with the strength and wisdom of our people, we can overcome these challenges. Patience and moderation are essential now, and I have full faith in the resilience of the people.”
