Gwangju Citizens Urge "People Power Party Lawmakers to Participate in Voting" (Comprehensive)

'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Bill' Vote Followed by Exit from Plenary Session
Some Participants Say "Not a National Representative Party"
"The People Will Remember Clearly" Tearfully Expressing Anger

"I appeal to the People Power Party members. Please come back quickly and participate in the vote."

On the afternoon of the 7th, at the 4th General Rally held at the Gwangju 5·18 Democracy Square, more and more people gathered as time passed. Among the citizens filling the square, deep sighs erupted as they watched the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol taking place in the National Assembly, and saw that most People Power Party members left the plenary hall after the re-vote on the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act.'

Some citizens showed emotional reactions, saying, "Is this acceptable in a democratic country? This party no longer represents the people," and even shed tears.

Many citizens attending the 4th General Rally of Gwangju Citizens held at the 5·18 Democracy Square on the 7th are watching the situation at the National Assembly. Photo by Song Bohyun

One citizen said, "When Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, explained the impeachment motion, I felt a surge of emotion at the familiar passage, 'The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides in the people, and all power comes from the people,'" adding, "People Power Party members, it is not too late even now. Please come back quickly and vote for the people," with tears in their eyes.

Another citizen warned, "Even if they were to vote against, leaving like this is unacceptable. Many citizens will remember this scene clearly."

The 'Emergency Action for the Resignation of the Yoon Seok-yeol Regime in Gwangju,' which is organizing the general rally, announced that related demonstrations will continue.

Meanwhile, Speaker Woo Won-shik of the National Assembly is encouraging People Power Party members who have not yet participated in the vote to join.

Speaker Woo appealed, "I earnestly appeal to the People Power Party members with all my strength. Participate in the vote," and asked, "How do you think the people, the world, and history will view those who did not participate in the vote during the process of handling the follow-up procedures of the unjust emergency martial law? Are you not afraid of history's judgment?" He continued, "If the weak appearance of Korean democracy damages the world's evaluation, can you take responsibility for that?" and appealed, "Participating in the vote is the way to protect the Republic of Korea and Korean democracy."

On that day, People Power Party members conducted a secret ballot on the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, after which 107 members, excluding Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, left the plenary hall. As of 8 p.m., Assemblymen Kim Ye-ji and Kim Sang-wook returned to the plenary hall and participated in the vote.

People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sang-wook is receiving encouragement from opposition lawmakers including Jo Guk Innovation Party lawmaker Kim Seon-min after participating in the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol on the afternoon of the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News