On Dec. 10, President Yoon Suk-yeol expressed his intention to challenge the People Power Party’s (PPP) proposal for him to step down early, either in February or March, opting instead to pursue a legal response. His stance indicates he intends to remain in office and face an impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court if the National Assembly proceeds with a motion to impeach him.
In a public address on Dec. 7, President Yoon stated that he would delegate decisions about his term and future political management to the PPP. Following this, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon proposed “an orderly early resignation” as a solution.
During a task force meeting focused on political stability, the party presented resignation plans for Yoon, including stepping down in February with an election in April or resigning in March with an election in May. These options were reported to the party’s general assembly. However, Yoon’s firm opposition to early resignation and preference for legal action introduces uncertainty for the impeachment vote scheduled for Dec. 14.
“There’s a growing sentiment within the PPP that if President Yoon does not change his stance before the second impeachment vote, the impeachment motion could become a reality,” one party member said.
Under the resignation timeline proposed by the PPP’s task force, an early presidential election would take place in April or May next year. This schedule aligns closely with the timeline advocated by opposition parties such as the Democratic Party, which has been pushing for Yoon’s impeachment. Generally, it takes three to six months for the Constitutional Court to rule on a presidential impeachment case. According to the PPP, the resignation roadmap offers a faster resolution compared to the impeachment process and provides a clear path toward the next presidential election.
Rep. Lee Yang-soo, who chairs the task force, said during the general assembly, “The February or March resignation timeline was drafted to ensure a faster transition compared to an impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court,” Lee said. “There’s a consensus among our members that this option offers a clearer and quicker resolution than impeachment.”
Lee reportedly discussed the plans with Han beforehand. During a private meeting with party lawmakers that continued late into the evening, Han reportedly urged lawmakers to support the roadmap, emphasizing the importance of accepting the proposal as a viable option. When some lawmakers questioned its feasibility, Han acknowledged that there would be little they could do if the president rejected the plan but stressed the importance of presenting a concrete proposal to address the crisis.
At the same time, Han acknowledged the challenges tied to early resignation, noting that even if the president stepped down before the end of his term, he would retain significant powers, including authority over foreign affairs and military operations, until the official transition. Han is said to have highlighted that these powers cannot be removed without impeachment, adding to the complexity of the situation.
A PPP official explained that while Han was aware of the criticism surrounding the early resignation proposal, he still chose to make it public. According to the official, Han aimed to send a clear message to the Yoon administration, urging them to seriously consider early resignation as a way to avoid impeachment.
