One Million Signatures for Yoon's Impeachment Petition... Is a 'Political Storm' Brewing?

As of 9:30 AM, 996,000 endorsements
Petition referred to National Assembly Judiciary Committee... Review of adoption or dismissal
Uncertain passage in plenary session... Increased use as opposition attack card

The spark of 'impeachment talk' against President Yoon Seok-yeol has reignited. The number of signatures on the national petition urging the proposal of an impeachment motion against President Yoon is approaching 1 million. It is drawing attention as a potential new core issue in political strife.

According to the National Assembly's national petition board on the 3rd, as of 9:30 a.m. that day, the number of supporters for the petition titled 'Request for Immediate Proposal of Impeachment Motion Against President Yoon' reached 996,000. The national petition for President Yoon's impeachment motion was made public on the 20th of last month. The petitioner cited five reasons for the impeachment demand, including 'suspicions of external pressure related to the death of Chae Haebyeong' and 'suspicions of Kim Geon-hee's receipt of expensive bags.' Within three days, the petition surpassed the 50,000 signatures required for referral to the standing committee, and within about ten days, it is approaching 1 million signatures.

The petition has been referred to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. After the signature period ends on the 30th of this month, it will undergo review by the committee. Petitions referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee are examined by the petition subcommittee and then deliberated and resolved in the plenary session. The committee comprehensively reviews whether to adopt or discard the petition based on the incorporation of the bill, achievement of the petition's purpose, and feasibility.

President Yoon Suk-yeol's Remarks at the Cabinet Meeting
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Jin Seong-cheol = President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the cabinet meeting held on July 2 at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul. 2024.7.2 [Presidential Office News Photographers Group]
zjin@yna.co.kr
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However, the impeachment petition is likely to remain pending. A key condition for impeachment is proving the president's actual illegal conduct. Even if the impeachment motion passes to the National Assembly plenary session, its approval is uncertain. According to Article 65 of the Constitution, the impeachment motion against the president requires the approval of at least two-thirds (200 seats) of the total members. The opposition parties in the 22nd National Assembly hold a total of 191 seats.

The opposition parties' views on this are also divided. The Democratic Party, which had initially shown a cautious stance, announced a press conference in the afternoon to mark the petition surpassing 1 million signatures. Kang Deuk-gu, a Democratic Party lawmaker hosting the press conference, stated in a phone interview, "The fact that the impeachment petition is approaching 1 million signatures means that President Yoon needs to change his state affairs policy and listen to public sentiment."

There is also a possibility of a backlash. Some argue that the support for the impeachment petition, mainly from Democratic Party members, is to offset the 'Lee Jae-myung judicial risk.' Some in political circles believe that considering such criticism, if the petition signatures exceed about 2.5 million, the size of the Democratic Party membership, concrete actions may be taken. The presidential office is known to maintain the position that impeachment is impossible as there is no clear illegal act related to this matter.