South Korea: Ruling Party Appoints Kwon Young-se as Head of Emergency Leadership Committee
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Seoul, Dec 24 (NationPress) In a significant move, South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) has appointed five-term lawmaker Kwon Young-se to lead its emergency leadership committee aimed at addressing the political repercussions of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
Kwon's nomination follows the resignation of former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon on December 16, just two days after the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon due to his controversial imposition of martial law on December 3.
Acting PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong stated that Kwon was selected for this critical role due to his extensive experience as a five-term legislator and his tenure in key governmental positions.
"The newly formed emergency committee faces a formidable challenge of ensuring stability in state affairs and promoting both harmony and change within the party," he remarked. "I am confident that the nominee for committee chairman will fulfill these responsibilities effectively."
The official appointment of Kwon is expected to take place following additional party committee meetings scheduled for December 26 and 30, according to Yonhap News Agency.
Kwon previously served as the first unification minister under the Yoon administration before securing his fifth term in the National Assembly during the parliamentary elections held in April. He also held the position of South Korea's Ambassador to Beijing from 2013 to 2015.
Earlier today, the South Korean Cabinet chose not to review two special counsel bills aimed at President Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, ignoring demands from the main opposition party for immediate promulgation.
The proposed bills seek special counsel investigations into Yoon's brief imposition of martial law and various corruption allegations surrounding Kim; however, they were not addressed in a Cabinet meeting led by acting President Han Duck-soo.
"To wisely navigate matters where legal interpretations and political perspectives clash, like the special counsel bills and the appointment of justices to the Constitutional Court, it is essential for both ruling and opposition parties to collaborate," Han asserted during the meeting.
"We must initiate discussions and negotiations between the parties to reach a compromise that the public can understand, ensuring that the investigations and appointments are conducted impartially and in line with the Constitution and laws," he added.
Both bills were approved by the opposition-dominated National Assembly earlier this month, compelling Han to either sign them into law or request parliamentary reconsideration by January 1.
The main opposition Democratic Party has urged Han to promulgate the bills today, threatening to "hold him accountable" should he fail to comply.
This statement hints at potential impeachment proceedings against Han, who has stepped in as acting President since Yoon's impeachment on December 14.
In his role as acting President, Han is also responsible for appointing justices to the Constitutional Court, which currently lacks three judges in anticipation of an upcoming trial regarding the decision to uphold or dismiss Yoon's impeachment.
