Lee Jae-myung, Press Conference... "Immediate Resignation, No Way Except Impeachment" (Summary)

Lee "Very Disappointed with Yoon's Statement... Fuels More Anger"
Plans to Convene Interim National Assembly if Impeachment Motion Fails
Kim Min-seok Raises Concern over 'Additional Martial Law' "There Is a Planning Team"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters at the National Assembly immediately after President Yoon Seok-yeol's statement on the 7th. The press conference, originally scheduled for 9:30 a.m., was postponed by an hour due to President Yoon's emergency statement and was held from 10:30 a.m. for 50 minutes.

Democratic Party Criticizes Yoon's Statement and Ruling Party's Response

Lee described President Yoon's statement as "very disappointing" and said it was "a remark that further fuels the public's sense of betrayal and anger." He added, "The greatest threat to South Korea right now is the very existence of the president," emphasizing, "The only solution is immediate resignation or early removal through impeachment." He also stated, "We will actively and swiftly push for the exclusion of President Yoon, the main culprit of the internal rebellion, from the presidency together with the people."

On the 7th, when the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol is scheduled at the National Assembly, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters and speaking. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Regarding People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon's remark that "early resignation is inevitable" for President Yoon, criticism continued over his 'true intentions.' Lee pointed out, "President Yoon's term lasts until May 10, 2027, but some might say 'if he resigns by May 1, isn't that early resignation?'" and added, "I think that is a meaningless argument." He then told the People Power Party, "Give up the idea of clinging to your petty vested interests." On the same day, Supreme Council member Jeon Hyun-hee said, "There is a saying that Leader Han is basically 'Yoon Seok-yeol Season 2 without drinking,'" and "Everyone knows he is incompetent."

In his morning statement, President Yoon said, "I will entrust our party with the issue of my term and future political stability measures." This contrasts with former President Park Geun-hye's past apology statement, in which she said she would entrust the term issue to the National Assembly. In response, Floor Leader Park Chan-dae criticized, "The ringleader of the internal rebellion is saying he will run the government in consultation with his co-conspirators," calling it "an utterly ridiculous statement." Supreme Council member Han Jun-ho said, "President Yoon used the expression 'our party' in his statement," and "I suspect he may have had some kind of discussion with the People Power Party."

Democratic Party Plans to Reintroduce Impeachment Motion if Yoon's Motion is Rejected

The National Assembly is scheduled to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon at 5 p.m. that day. The Democratic Party plans to reintroduce the impeachment motion in the next session even if it is not passed that day. An impeachment motion that has been rejected can only be reintroduced in the next session. However, the current regular session ends on the 10th, and a special session is scheduled to open on the 11th. Additionally, the Democratic Party plans to split the special session, which can be designated for up to one month, into weekly periods. Lee said, "We will repeatedly push until it succeeds."

On the 7th, when the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol is scheduled at the National Assembly, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, held a press conference with domestic and foreign reporters and made a statement. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Regarding the assessment that People Power Party lawmakers find it difficult to vote in favor due to the experience of former President Park's impeachment, Policy Committee Chair Jin Sung-jun said, "What kind of impeachment trauma are they talking about? Don't they consider the trauma of martial law our people experienced?" He added, "Are they ignoring the trauma of basic rights being suppressed and massacres because they are worried about losing power? There is no greater hypocrisy than this." Supreme Council member Lee Eon-ju also said, "The impeachment discussions before and after the December 3 martial law incident are on a different level," and "Now it is based on the charge of treason, so conservatives should be even less able to tolerate it."

Lee emphasized, "There are concerns about betrayal, but this is an act of treason against democratic republicanism." He said, "Supporting treason is also treason," and "Cutting it off and returning to a normal constitutional order is not betrayal but loyalty to the people."

Opposition Does Not Rule Out Possibility of Additional Martial Law

Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok said that day, "The most important task to prevent the recurrence of martial law is to immediately arrest and investigate President Yoon and related parties," claiming, "There is a hidden planning team." He emphasized, "This part must be investigated immediately, (President Yoon's) military command authority must be stripped, and the possibility of wartime martial law must be prevented," adding, "Otherwise, it must never be allowed." He also expressed concern, saying, "President Yoon said dozens of times that 'there will never be martial law,' but he declared martial law."

Lee Jae-myung also mentioned the 'martial law theory' discussed within the Democratic Party, saying, "Didn't the Democratic Party leadership say it was 'delusional' and 'strange'?" and "It is dangerous to make judgments that go beyond common sense." Regarding President Yoon's statement in his address that "there will be no second martial law," he said, "I think he said that because it was either prepared or considered." Furthermore, he said, "People who will reoffend do not say they will reoffend," and "Hearing that today made me think we need to prepare even more."