President Yoon's impeachment fate could rest heavily on former ally

Ruling party chief U-turns on impeachment stance, has 18 PPP lawmakers loyal to him

- Wendy Teo

SEOUL - As South Korea's lawmakers prepare to vote on an impeachment motion against South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, the leader's fate could be largely decided by one man - ruling People Power Party (PPP) chief Han Dong-hoon.

The man who used to be Mr Yoon's junior when they worked together as prosecutors was also the President's staunchest ally before their relationship soured after they clashed over First Lady Kim Keon Hee's handbag scandal.

Mr Han, who had vowed on Dec 5 that the PPP would use all means to block the impeachment of Mr Yoon for attempting to impose martial law on Dec 3, is now singing a different tune overnight.

On the morning of Dec 6, Mr Han took his own party by surprise when he declared to reporters that Mr Yoon must be suspended from his presidential duties immediately as he was a danger to the public.

This is an indication that he now supports the impeachment vote, as impeachment is the only way for the President to be suspended from duties.

Some members of the PPP oppose the impeachment move because it is damaging to the party.

The party chief's abrupt U-turn was triggered by the shocking revelation by a National Intelligence Service deputy director that Mr Yoon had personally instructed him to arrest and detain several key politicians on the grounds that they were "anti-state forces" after martial law was effected.

On Mr Yoon's hit list was Mr Han, as were the President's political foes, such as opposition leader Lee Jae-myung and Reform Party's Cho Kuk.