[December 7 National Assembly] 9 AM... Ruling Party Enters Party Meeting vs Opposition Strives to Secure Yoon Impeachment Approval Vote

The Democratic Party discusses participation and method of voting in the party meeting
Lee Jae-myung, "Members of the National Assembly are constitutional institutions... courage is needed"
The opposition likely to announce position after Yoon's national address

As of 9 a.m. on the 7th, ahead of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party has entered a party meeting. The Democratic Party, which held its party meeting earlier, agreed that the impeachment motion against President Yoon must be passed.

The People Power Party held a party meeting at the National Assembly at 9 a.m. to discuss how to respond to the plenary session vote on President Yoon's impeachment motion and the special prosecution law related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee, scheduled for 5 p.m. that day.

Earlier, after a 12-hour marathon party meeting the previous day, the People Power Party concluded not to change its party stance opposing the impeachment motion against President Yoon, but it had not decided on whether to participate in the vote. The party meeting on this day was presided over by Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho.

Yonhap News

Han, who had consistently attended party meetings since the December 3 emergency martial law incident, did not attend the party meeting held that day.

After meeting President Yoon the previous day, Han returned to the party meeting and said, "I did not hear anything from the President that would overturn this judgment (the urgent request for suspension of duty)." However, as some pro-Yoon faction members and even some pro-Han faction members expressed opposition to the impeachment, Han's intention was not realized.

On the other hand, the Democratic Party held a 30-minute party meeting from 7 a.m. that day to unite efforts for the passage of the impeachment motion. For the impeachment motion to pass, more than 200 out of 300 total members must vote in favor, so at least eight members from the ruling People Power Party must change their minds.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said, "People Power Party members know what is just, but the reality is that they are being told to do something that goes against justice and the will of the people," adding, "Rather than predicting the outcome, it must be passed."

Lee also emphasized, "As constitutional institutions, individual members need courage," and said, "They should think about why they exist and what they should do." He mentioned that he proposed a meeting between the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, but Han has not responded to the contact.

Lee had announced that he would hold a press briefing with domestic and foreign reporters at 9:30 a.m. that day, but postponed it after President Yoon announced he would deliver a national address at 10 a.m. It is expected that Lee will announce his position after reviewing the contents of President Yoon's address.

Yonhap News