PPP leader vows 'orderly retreat' of President Yoon after impeachment motion scrapped

Han Dong-hoon, center, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), delivers a speech after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol was scrapped at the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 7. Yonhap

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), vowed to work toward an "orderly treat" of President Yoon Suk Yeol following a failed impeachment motion against him Saturday.

Han made an apology after an impeachment motion against Yoon was scrapped as almost all lawmakers from Yoon's ruling PPP boycotted the vote, which requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The PPP holds 108 seats in the 300-member National Assembly.

"I am very sorry for the situation that has unfolded since the declaration of martial law," Han told reporters at the National Assembly.

Han, who led 18 PPP lawmakers in voting down Yoon's martial law decree hours after its announcement Tuesday night, reiterated his earlier stance that the declaration is a "clear and serious violation of the Constitution and the law."

"The PPP will push for the president's orderly retreat to minimize chaos," he said, adding he will consult with the main opposition Democratic Party to pursue the process in a "predictable and transparent manner."

"Yoon will be effectively stripped of his duties until he retreats, and the prime minister will take care of state affairs in consultation with the party," he said.

Following the scrapping of the vote, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo vowed to make all-out efforts to stabilize the situation. (Yonhap)