Lawmakers strive to recover from political upheaval as PPP leader resigns, DP pushes for joint talks

한동훈 당대표직 사퇴 "고통스럽지만 후회 안해"… 이재명, 여당에 "국정협의체 참여 부탁"

At the National Assembly.
The head of the ruling party has resigned while the head of the opposition party, once again, calls for a joint consultative group to address state affairs.
Our political correspondent Lee Shi-hoo reports.

On the first Monday back at work following the National Assembly vote to impeach President Yoon over his December 3rd declaration of martial law, rival lawmakers strove to recover from the political upheaval, in their respective ways.

Early Monday, Han Dong-hoon resigned as leader of the ruling People Power Party, 146 days into his term amid mounting pressure from senior PPP members, calling him responsible for the Assembly's approval of the impeachment motion against their conservative president two days prior.

"I am stepping down as People Power Party Leader. The supreme council members have resigned and the council has broken down.
It's no longer possible for me to carry out normal duties as the party leader."

After the president attempted to impose martial law earlier this month, Han, at last, urged the party to impeach the president, going against the party consensus decided by PPP lawmakers.
Han said on Monday that he does not regret his decision.

With Han's resignation, the PPP set out to launch an emergency steering committee while Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong picked up the role of the acting chair for the time being.

This was while the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea continued to suggest a joint consultative group between members of the National Assembly and the government so they could "swiftly stabilize state affairs."

"The formation of the consultative group is something that the acting president also agrees with. We're good with the People Power Party taking the lead in the discussions, so I ask the PPP to please participate."

The DP said it's open to discussing only issues on the economy if an all-around discussion "feels too much" for the ruling party
while re-stressing its status as a major party.

"Right now, there's a heavy responsibility on the National Assembly, and especially us the DP being the largest party.
There is much to be resolved despite Yoon's impeachment."

However, the PPP's Acting Chairman Kweon said it was the ruling party's role to continue to lead discussions with the government, rejecting the DP's calls for a joint consultative group.

"We the PPP are still the ruling party. It's wrong and inappropriate for the DP to act as if it's the ruling party and the one in charge of state affairs."

Kweon further warned that Acting President Han Duck-soo's administration is not one that the DP can try to administer, as he met with Deputy Prime Ministers Choi Sang-mok and Lee Ju-Ho to discuss cooperation on "livelihood issues."

Lee Shi-hoo, Arirang News.

#PPP #Leader #HanDonghoon #Resign #국민의힘당 #당대표 #한동훈 #사퇴 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스

📣 Facebook :   / arirangtvnews  
📣 Twitter :   / arirangtvnews  
📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/

2024-12-16, 20:00 (KST)