Kang Deuk-gu on Yoon Impeachment Petition Surpassing 1 Million: "A Practical Impeachment May Occur"

Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Deuk-gu directly mentioned the 'impeachment' of President Yoon Seok-yeol on the 3rd, demanding a shift in the national policy direction. Earlier that morning, the number of petitions calling for the impeachment of President Yoon surpassed 1 million.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, Kang said, "Seeing the impeachment petitions exceeding 1 million, I feel the anger of the people." He criticized, "President Yoon is ignoring the public sentiment from the general election and is running the country by treating power institutions, including the prosecution, as the most important means to maintain power, becoming a figurehead president who is turning away from the majority of the people."

He warned, "If the suspicions of illegal intervention and orders by the president in incidents such as the death of a Marine soldier are not clarified and continue to be concealed, and if these suspicions are proven true, it could lead to a legal judgment by the Constitutional Court."

Kang Deuk-gu, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is being interviewed on the 14th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Kang said, "President Yoon must come forward to fully disclose to the public the incidents related to the luxury bag scandal involving First Lady Kim Geon-hee, the Itaewon tragedy, and the death of the Marine soldier, ask for forgiveness, and accept a special investigation." He added, "He must show a promise and action to accept the demand for a change in national policy confirmed by public sentiment."

He also mentioned the practical possibility of impeachment. Kang stated, "There is no way to turn around the demand for impeachment from 1 million people unless the president takes the initiative," adding, "If this continues, a nationwide demand for impeachment will be inevitable. I urge this with a heavy heart that a practical impeachment crisis may occur."

However, he drew a line by saying that this press conference was a separate stance from the Democratic Party leadership. He said, "I have not discussed future plans with the leadership. However, I believe the leadership, including floor leader Park Chan-dae, is also considering this issue."

Besides Kang, the press conference was attended by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jun-hyeok, Social Democratic Party lawmaker Han Chang-min, Director Ahn Jin-geol of the People's Livelihood Economy Research Institute, and Kim Eun-jin, co-representative of the Candlelight Action (a civic group). Meanwhile, as of 2:40 p.m. that day, the number of signatures on the national petition urging the proposal of President Yoon's impeachment exceeded 1.01 million.