Member of the People Power Party, In Yo-han, holding a press conference. Yonhap News

Rep. In Yo-han, a proportional representative of the People Power Party, abruptly announced his resignation from his parliamentary seat on the 10th.

This comes about a year and six months after he was elected as a proportional representative in the general election on April 10th of last year and began his legislative activities.

Rep. In stated at a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, "I wish to conclude my legislative activities of the past year and a half and return to my original profession by leaving my position as a member of parliament."

He added, "There is no change without sacrifice," and "I want to contribute to national integration and the development of the country by being the first to let go of all vested interests and return to my original profession."

He, who has been classified as pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol), emphasized, "The unfortunate events that have occurred over the past year since the declaration of martial law by the Yoon Suk-yeol administration are issues that must be overcome for the future of Korea."

He also stressed, "Political actions that only follow factional logic are making the people suffer and are becoming obstacles to national development," adding, "National integration is only possible if we shed black-and-white logic and factional logic."

He continued, "I wish to carry on the spirit of my ancestors who have contributed and dedicated themselves to Korea for the past 130 years. In particular, humanitarian practice is a precious value that I must continue to uphold," and "I express my deep gratitude to the people who have warmly encouraged and supported me despite my shortcomings."

It is known that Rep. In met with party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and others before the press conference, and visited the Speaker's office to convey his intention to resign.

Rep. Shin Dong-wook of the same party told reporters, "The party leader tried hard to dissuade him this morning," and "I understand that he expressed his disappointment and helplessness because the politics he envisioned were not properly realized amidst the extreme political polarization, despite being recruited as a medical expert."

With Rep. In's expressed intention to resign, lawyer Lee So-hee, a member of the party's Special Committee for Organization Reinforcement and the next in line for proportional representation, will succeed him in his parliamentary seat.

Rep. In, who is a 'South Korea's first special naturalized citizen,' was appointed as the innovation committee chairman of the People Power Party during then-leader Kim Ki-hyun's tenure on October 23, 2023. He led the internal innovation of the ruling party during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration but resigned after 42 days.

Although he had previously declared that he would not run in the general election as the innovation committee chairman, he was elected in the last general election after being assigned the 8th position on the proportional representation ticket for the People's Future, the satellite party of the People Power Party.

Rep. In Yo-han of the People Power Party announcing his resignation. Yonhap News