Opposition's Next Move is 'Public Opinion Campaign'... Yoon Faces 15th Veto and Pressure from 1 Million Impeachment Petitions

Yoon's Veto Expected... Largest Among Presidents
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Impeachment Petition Surpasses 1.16 Million... Pressure for Impeachment Hearing

The Democratic Party of Korea has launched a public opinion campaign following the passage of the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act' in the plenary session. The plan is to link the president's frequent use of the veto power (right of reconsideration) with the one million impeachment petition to stir public sentiment and increase pressure on the ruling party.

This was clearly revealed in the first statement from the Democratic Party leadership on the 5th, the day after the special prosecutor act was passed. Floor leader Park Chan-dae declared at the morning Supreme Council meeting, "Whether to follow the will of the people or to choose the path of confronting the people by abusing the veto power depends solely on the president's choice." This is a warning that exercising the veto power could face the anger of the public.

Park's remarks were based on public opinion polls. According to a poll conducted by Gallup Korea from the 25th to the 27th of last month targeting 1,002 adults nationwide aged 18 and over, and released on the 28th (randomly selected wireless phone virtual numbers with telephone interviewer method, response rate 11.8%. For details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), 63% supported the introduction of the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor, a 6 percentage point increase from the second week of May (57% support).

Park Chandae, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is talking with Assemblyman Park Seongjun at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Repeated use of the veto power is also stirring public opinion. President Yoon has used the veto power 14 times in total during his two years in office. If he vetoes the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, it will be the 15th time. This is the highest number of vetoes by any president since democratization. Previously, former presidents exercised veto power as follows: Roh Tae-woo (7 times), Roh Moo-hyun (6 times), Lee Myung-bak (2 times), and Park Geun-hye (1 time).

The Democratic Party is also considering linking the presidential impeachment petition with the exercise of veto power. The leadership has already raised the possibility of an 'impeachment hearing.' They argue that President Yoon and his wife should be summoned as witnesses before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee to conduct a hearing. Floor spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung publicly reiterated, "If necessary, we will carry out the hearing procedures." The number of petition signatories is increasing by more than 100,000 per day, surpassing 1.16 million as of the morning of this day.

Additional processing of contentious bills such as the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' and the 'Broadcasting Four Acts' is also pending. The Democratic Party warns that they can push through these contentious bills at any time depending on the government and ruling party's response. Democratic Party floor spokesperson Noh Jong-myeon said, "There are many bills that President Yoon should veto. We are not considering them one by one."