In a joint press conference earlier in the day, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) admitted that Yoon is no longer able to fulfill his duties and pledged to stabilize the national crisis by expediting his departure from power.
The proposal came after Yoon, during his brief apology the previous day, said that he would leave future decisions regarding state affairs including the remainder of his presidential term, to the PPP.
But Lee slammed it as a "plot to stage another rebellion."
Lee argued, "They are once again undermining constitutional order," and added, "By what authority are they claiming to manage state affairs?" He also asked, "What qualifications does the PPP leader have to decide state affairs in consultation with the prime minister?"
In the meantime, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety said that its minister Lee Sang-min resigned from his post as Yoon accepted his resignation shortly after it was tendered. However, Yoon's acceptance of the resignation of one of his closest aides appears to contradict the earlier statement by the prime minister and the PPP leader, who said that Yoon will no longer engage in state affairs until he steps down.
As a motion to impeach Yoon failed on Saturday due to a boycott by lawmakers from the PPP, the DP plans to draft another motion and bring it to a vote in the coming week.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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