Opposition Lawmakers Demand Yoon Explain Martial Law Incident Before and After Impeachment Vote

People Power Party Marathon Party Meeting in Progress

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the meeting room after the party caucus held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The People Power Party is holding a 'marathon party meeting' on the 6th, one day before the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, but as of 10 p.m., no definitive conclusion has been reached.

According to People Power Party officials on the 6th, during the party meeting, 40 to 50 lawmakers presented personal opinions on the state of emergency and the handling of the impeachment motion, leading to a heated debate.

Shin Dong-wook, the party floor chief spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting was adjourned, "The party stance has already been decided, and there was no discussion about changing the party stance," adding, "There was no proposal to reconsider the party stance, so it remains as it is for now."

Shin also conveyed that many lawmakers said President Yoon should provide additional explanations regarding the state of emergency before and after the impeachment vote.

Shin said, "We heard various opinions about this incident, and since the matter does not end once the vote is over tomorrow, there were diverse discussions on how we can restore public trust and rebuild the party-government relationship." He added, "To my recollection, no lawmaker explicitly expressed support for the impeachment."

Pro-impeachment lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae, who was the first among ruling party members to publicly express support for impeachment, explained, "It seems that many lawmakers generally feel that the pace of impeachment is a bit fast. The intention appears to be to consider the judicial risks and trials of the opposing party’s candidate (Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party)." He added, "There are some murmurs about a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term."

Regarding whether the party stance would change, he said, "It does not seem easy at this point," and added, "Even among pro-Yoon lawmakers, opinions on impeachment appear to be divided."

Meanwhile, during the adjournment of the party meeting, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Park Jeong-ha, secretary to the party leader, visited the Yongsan Presidential Office to meet with key presidential aides including Chief Presidential Secretary Jeong Jin-seok. It is reported that Choo conveyed the opinions raised within the party meeting to Chief Jeong.

Depending on the outcome of the meeting with the Presidential Office, the direction of the People Power Party’s party meeting results is also expected to be determined.