Ahn Cheol-soo, "Members of the National Assembly Have the Right to Vote According to Their Convictions... Must Resign in an Orderly Manner"

BBC Korea Interview "President Destroys Constitution... Judged Unable to Perform Duties"

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo explained his participation in the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol by saying, "I judged that it is no longer possible for the President of the Republic of Korea to perform presidential duties because he destroyed the Constitution."

In an exclusive interview with BBC Korea released on the 9th, Ahn said, "Each member of the National Assembly is a constitutional institution, so they have the right and duty to vote according to their own conscience. I faithfully followed that," he said.

Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is sitting alone among ruling party lawmakers at the National Assembly on the 7th, ahead of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Earlier, the People Power Party collectively walked out just before the vote on President Yoon's impeachment motion at the plenary session on the 7th. At that time, among the People Power Party lawmakers, only Ahn did not leave the plenary hall and stayed to participate in the vote. Afterwards, lawmakers Kim Ye-ji and Kim Sang-wook from the People Power Party also joined and participated in the impeachment vote. Ahn had previously stated that if President Yoon does not announce the method and timing of his resignation, he would support impeachment regardless of the party line.

However, Ahn said that although he participated in the impeachment vote, he does not consider impeachment to be the best option. He said, "If the president is impeached again this time, whoever takes power next will constantly attack looking for reasons to impeach the president," adding, "To break this cycle, I think it is right to proceed with a more orderly resignation."

On the 7th, during the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol held at the National Assembly plenary session, Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, is casting his vote. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Regarding the 'orderly resignation' plan announced jointly by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon on the 8th, Ahn said it was "quite vague." He pointed out that specific details such as until when the president’s term would last and how the president would step down should be included. Ahn said, "If the Democratic Party submits another impeachment motion this time and the ruling party does not present a proper, concrete plan for an orderly resignation, I will have no choice but to support impeachment as a second-best option."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party announced on the 8th that it would reintroduce the impeachment motion against President Yoon and put it to a vote on the 14th. Kang Yoo-jung, the party’s floor spokesperson, told reporters after a party meeting at the National Assembly, "We will report the impeachment motion against President Yoon to the plenary session on the 12th and hold a vote on the 14th." She added, "The push for President Yoon’s impeachment will continue on the schedule of 'Thursdays and Saturdays.'"