South Korea’s PPP aims to block president’s impeachment

The leader of South Korea’s ruling People Power Party (PPP), Han Dong-hoon, has urged President Yoon Suk-yeol to leave the party but vows to block any impeachment motion from being passed. The pledge to stop a potential impeachment was confirmed by the party’s parliamentary leader, Choo Kyung-ho, who promised that all 108 PPP members will unitedly reject the impeachment of President Yoon. This development follows Yoon’s announcement of a military state of emergency on Tuesday, which was later retracted after the parliament voted against it. Opposition parties, which have a majority in the 300-member parliament, advanced an impeachment proposal Wednesday, citing Yoon’s ‘serious and extensive breach of the constitution and laws.’ To succeed, a two-thirds majority vote is needed; the opposition would need only eight from Yoon’s party to secure this. The PPP’s unity would thus be essential to prevent impeachment. The vote is scheduled for Saturday at 19:00 local time.