With Kim Jong-hyeok: "Yoon must announce resignation schedule... Immediate resignation causes confusion as election preparations are not ready"

"If the impeachment motion is rejected, social chaos may occur"

Kim Jong-hyuk, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, regarding the early resignation theory of President Yoon Seok-yeol, said, "The position and schedule on the resignation should be announced promptly," but also added, "If the president resigns immediately without any preparation, it will cause confusion. It would be better to do so within a maximum of six months, similar to the timing of the impeachment trial."

On the 9th, Kim said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "It does not mean that the full six months must be completed," and explained, "The best approach is for the president to speak about how he will step down from his term, and it would be good if that timing is not significantly different from the impeachment decision timing."

He said, "I understand that the public wants to see the president and wrongdoings punished through impeachment," and added, "There is also anger over the absurd measure of declaring martial law and turning our sons and daughters into martial law troops." However, he continued, "The longer the impeachment situation continues, the more intense confrontations will occur daily until the Constitutional Court makes an impeachment decision, and protests will take place on the streets," and said, "Rather than leaving the chaos, pain, and aftereffects that occurred during former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment unattended, it is right for the president to directly announce his position on resignation."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering a national address at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Yonhap News

He also argued that if the impeachment motion is rejected by the Constitutional Court, severe social chaos could arise. He said, "Currently, there are only six justices in the Constitutional Court. To make an impeachment decision, all six must agree, so if even one opposes, it will be rejected," and questioned, "Is it really right to continue dragging out this uncertain situation where no one can guarantee how or when the court will decide, plunging society into chaos?"

When the host asked about the idea of President Yoon immediately resigning, he replied, "If the president resigns, an election must be held within two months, so how chaotic would it be without any preparation?" He added, "If the president resigns immediately, an election must be held within 60 days, meaning a presidential election would have to take place as early as February next year," and said, "While the emotional stance is understandable, if national decision-making proceeds like that, it will be chaotic."

Regarding the rejection of the impeachment motion on the 7th due to the absence of People Power Party lawmakers in the vote, he explained, "We will discuss it at today's party meeting, but honestly, there is skepticism about how long this can continue," and said, "It is not easy for our entire party to say 'we will continue not to enter' or 'we will not vote,' and there will be considerable pressure from constituencies on the lawmakers." He then emphasized, "Therefore, it is necessary for the presidential office to promptly announce its position and schedule regarding resignation."