South Korea's ruling party rules out speculation Yoon may resign voluntary before impeachment ruling

KARACHI, Pakistan

South Korea's ruling party on Monday ruled out the possibility of detained President Yoon Suk Yeol voluntarily stepping down before a ruling in his impeachment trial.

The interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, Kwon Young-se, rejected the speculation, calling such a move "unrealistic" and "inappropriate," the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency reported.

Kwon made the remarks during an interaction with journalists when asked about the possibility of Yoon voluntarily resigning amid concerns his impeachment ruling could trigger clashes between political factions.

"I do not think his resignation would necessarily resolve all these issues, regardless of whether it is legally and constitutionally possible," he said. "It is not appropriate."

Kwon said that Yoon's decision to step down is entirely up to him and not his legal team.

He was referring to recent remarks by Yoon's legal team suggesting it could make a "major decision."

"Such an option is realistically not being considered, and even if it is, it is not the right course of action," he said.

Kwon admitted that Yoon's Dec. 3 martial law declaration, which plunged the nation into its worst political crisis in recent history, was "clearly a mistake" and an "excessive measure."

Yoon is under criminal investigation for abuse of power and leading an insurrection, making him the first sitting president to be arrested. He is also subject to a travel ban.

Suspended from office since Dec. 14, when parliament voted to impeach him, Yoon’s case is now before the Constitutional Court, which has up to six months to decide whether to remove him from office or to reinstate him