# The 'traitor' at the heart of South Korea's impeachment drama

## By Richard Kim
BBC Korean

Reporting from Seoul

---

Han Dong-Hoon was driving home from dinner in Seoul on December 3, scanning the radio, when he heard a breaking news update: President Yoon Suk-Yeol was preparing to deliver an emergency address.

Han, then the leader of Yoon's People Power Party (PPP), was widely seen as one of the presidents closest allies. Yet that was Han's first hint that Yoon was about to do something unprecedented.

By midnight, the president had ,  as part of a self-proclaimed bid to eliminate "anti-state forces" and North Korea sympathisers.

"When I first heard the news of martial law, I thought, 'We must stop it, because if it isn't lifted that very night, a bloodbath might occur,'" Han tells BBC Korean.

"The fear and terror that South Korea's decades-long, hard-won achievements might suddenly collapse were overwhelming."

Soon after Yoon's announcement, the opposition's Democratic Party leader hosted a live stream  outside the National Assembly building in central Seoul.

Thousands responded,  as opposition lawmakers rushed into the assembly building, clambering over fences and walls in a desperate attempt to block Yoon's order.

Han was among them.

---

## The 'betrayal'

For years, Han and Yoon were inseparable allies. Having both attended Seoul National University, the two forged a close bond as prosecutors while jointly investigating corruption in the country's halls of power.

Han gained political prominence when Yoon was narrowly elected president in May 2022, after beating his opponent by less than 1% of the vote.

Han was made Minister of Justice and later entrusted with the key role of Emergency Countermeasures Committee Chairman for the PPP, becoming the leader of the ruling party at the age of 50.

Yoon's time in office was beleaguered by scandals and political failures – not least of all his landslide loss to the opposition Democratic Party last April.

The result of those parliamentary elections was widely seen as a vote of no confidence against Yoon, and rendered him a lame-duck president.

For most of Yoon's administration, the PPP's conservative base was enthusiastic about Han. The lawyer-turned-politician had quickly emerged as a likely party candidate for the next presidential election, originally scheduled for 2027.



Yoon Suk Yeol (L) and Han Dong-Hoon (R) were close political allies for years

Now, as the increasing likelihood of a 2025 election looms amid the fallout of Yoon's ill-fated martial law attempt, Han's reputation is largely defined by the way he acted during and after that fateful night.

While some still see him as a fresh and promising political figure, many view him as having betrayed the very president who had furthered his career.

In the weeks following Yoon's abortive martial law order, the embattled president curried favour among PPP hardliners by refusing to cede political ground.

While he apologised for the events of December 3, he refused to resign, instead holing up in his official residence in defiance of calls for his impeachment.

He rallied his base and defended his decision by  that the country was in danger.

It was these staunch Yoon loyalists who would come to turn against Han.

---

## The return

Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties and is currently . Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The memoir

Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties and is currently . Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The impact on Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The memoir's impact on Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The return of Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## Han's political ambitions

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## Han's political ambitions

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The return of Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The 'betrayal'

For years, Han and Yoon were inseparable allies. Having both attended Seoul National University, the two forged a close bond as prosecutors while jointly investigating corruption in the country's halls of power.

Han gained political prominence when Yoon was narrowly elected president in May 2022, after beating his opponent by less than 1% of the vote.

Han was made Minister of Justice and later entrusted with the key role of Emergency Countermeasures Committee Chairman for the PPP, becoming the leader of the ruling party at the age of 50.

Yoon's time in office was beleaguered by scandals and political failures – not least of all his landslide loss to the opposition Democratic Party last April.

The result of those parliamentary elections was widely seen as a vote of no confidence against Yoon, and rendered him a lame-duck president.

For most of Yoon's administration, the PPP's conservative base was enthusiastic about Han. The lawyer-turned-politician had quickly emerged as a likely party candidate for the next presidential election, originally scheduled for 2027.



Yoon Suk Yeol (L) and Han Dong-Hoon (R) were close political allies for years

Now, as the increasing likelihood of a 2025 election looms amid the fallout of Yoon's ill-fated martial law attempt, Han's reputation is largely defined by the way he acted during and after that fateful night.

While some still see him as a fresh and promising political figure, many view him as having betrayed the very president who had furthered his career.

In the weeks following Yoon's abortive martial law order, the embattled president curried favour among PPP hardliners by refusing to cede political ground.

While he apologised for the events of December 3, he refused to resign, instead holing up in his official residence in defiance of calls for his impeachment.

He rallied his base and defended his decision by  that the country was in danger.

It was these staunch Yoon loyalists who would come to turn against Han.

---

## The return

Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties and is currently . Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The memoir

Yoon has been suspended from his presidential duties and is currently . Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The impact on Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The return of Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## Han's political ambitions

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## Han's political ambitions

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The return of Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## Han's political ambitions

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## Han's political ambitions

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."

---

## The return of Han's political fortunes

Han, meanwhile, stepped down as PPP leader in mid-December, maintaining that although Yoon's impeachment was painful, he did not regret his decision.

In the two months that followed, Han says he took some time to "quietly reflect" on whether he could have done more during such a turbulent period for South Korea.

"I wanted nothing more than for this government to succeed," Han tells the BBC, reflecting on the storm of condemnation that then followed from within his own party ranks.

"I initially sought an orderly early resignation plan for the president – a plan I earnestly pursued, but which ultimately failed," he adds.

"I am deeply pained by the outcome and empathise with those who remain unconvinced and heartbroken. Nonetheless, I believe it was a necessary decision for South Korea's continued progress and development."
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