Opposition Parties in Confrontation with Yoon Administration... Democratic Party Calls for "Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor" vs Innovation Party Demands "Impeachment"

Democratic Party to hold outdoor rally on 2nd... Lee Jae-myung calls it a "law-breaking regime"
Innovation Party to unveil impeachment proposal within this month
National Assembly to vote on Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor bill on 14th

The opposition parties have launched an all-out offensive against the Yoon Seok-yeol administration since November.

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung, floor leader Park Chan-dae, and other lawmakers are shouting slogans at the National Action Day to Condemn Kim Geon-hee and Yoon Seok-youl's State Power Abuse and Demand a Special Prosecutor, hosted by the Democratic Party of Korea, held around Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 2nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 2nd, the Democratic Party held an outdoor rally at Seoul Station in Jung-gu, Seoul, titled "Condemnation of Kim Geon-hee and Yoon Seok-yeol's State Power Abuse and Demand for a Special Prosecutor." The rally saw the full attendance of the party leadership, including Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, Park Chan-dae, the party floor leader, and Kim Min-seok, the senior supreme council member. Lee said, "It is not a president elected by the people but an irresponsible person who controls the state affairs, and irrationality, ignorance, and superstition are shaking the government," adding, "This administration is a habitual law-breaking regime."

The Democratic Party has intensified its offensive against the Yoon administration this month. On the 31st of last month, the party released a recorded phone conversation between President Yoon Seok-yeol and a so-called 'political broker,' Myung Tae-kyun. The recording contained evidence suggesting that President Yoon promised Myung the nomination for former lawmaker Kim Young-sun in the June 2022 by-election. The Democratic Party plans to release additional recordings related to Myung. Floor leader Park said, "This is tangible evidence proving a serious matter that shakes the constitutional order," and added, "Nothing can cover this up, and only a strong judgment remains."

However, the Democratic Party is reluctant to mention impeachment against President Yoon. This is interpreted as a concern over backlash from pushing for impeachment as a major opposition party. At a press briefing on the 3rd, when asked if the contents of the recordings constituted grounds for impeachment, Floor leader Park said, "Many people consider it grounds for impeachment," but added, "It is difficult for us to answer," evading a direct response.

Cho Kuk, leader of the National Innovation Party, is giving a speech at the first 'Impeachment Cafe' event held in Daegu on the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, the Innovation Party is advocating for impeachment. Since the general election, it has emphasized its distinctiveness as a minor party by mentioning a 'breaker ship.' At an outdoor rally held on the 26th in Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, the Innovation Party also stressed impeachment. The party plans to release an impeachment motion against President Yoon this month, containing 17 reasons. The motion is expected to include allegations of President Yoon's interference in candidate nominations and suspicions of pressure on the investigation into the death of Corporal Chae. Floor leader Hwang said, "The recorded phone conversation between President Yoon and Myung could be a serious ground for impeachment," adding, "There are many people demanding impeachment, so the Democratic Party will inevitably have to step into impeachment at some point."

The opposition's offensive is expected to culminate in the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act. The National Assembly plans to hold a plenary session on the 14th to vote on the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act. The opposition hopes to gain momentum in its offensive against the Yoon administration with the defection of some pro-Han Han-dong faction lawmakers within the ruling party. Park Seong-jun, the Democratic Party's senior deputy floor leader, said, "We hope the People Power Party will clarify its position regarding the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act," adding, "All focus is on the 14th. We will do our utmost to pass the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act."