Han Dong-hoon, leader of South Korea’s People Power Party, announced his resignation on Dec. 16, stepping down just 146 days after being elected in the party’s July 23 convention. Han held a press conference at the National Assembly, saying his resignation followed the collapse of the party’s leadership structure.
“I am stepping down as the leader of the People Power Party,” Han said. “The resignation of Supreme Council members has dismantled the leadership, making it impossible for me to carry out my duties as party leader. I deeply apologize to all citizens who have suffered through this state of emergency.”
Han also expressed regret to party supporters disheartened by the recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, which passed the National Assembly on Dec. 14. “To our supporters who are heartbroken over the impeachment, I am truly sorry. I reflected deeply on how to guide the country toward a better path, but I ultimately failed. It is entirely due to my own faults,” he said.
Han highlighted the party’s role in opposing President Yoon’s emergency declaration on Dec. 3, a day that saw party members join citizens in resisting the move. “That night, our party, alongside the people, led the charge to block an illegal martial law declared by a president elected by our own party,” he said. “We upheld the Constitution and democracy. To me, that is the true spirit of conservatism and the essence of the People Power Party.”
He warned against falling prey to extremism and fear, which he linked to conspiracy theorists and YouTubers spreading extremely provocative content.
“If we align ourselves with extremists, conspiracy theorists, or those who exploit fear for commercial gain, we will lose our future,” Han said. “Had we failed to lift martial law that night, bloodshed could have broken out the following morning between citizens and young soldiers. I was deeply afraid of failing to prevent such a tragedy.”
Han had faced mounting pressure to resign from the pro-Yoon faction within the party following the impeachment vote. The faction argued that Han’s advocacy for impeachment contradicted the party’s official stance against it, ultimately leading to the motion’s passage.
With Han’s departure, Kweon Seong-dong, the party’s floor leader, will serve as acting leader. Kweon also has the authority to appoint an emergency steering committee chair to guide the party through its transitional period.
