Hong Joonpyo: "Impeachment Vote Can Be Refused... Orderly Resignation Should Be Pursued"

"Democratic Party's Push for Impeachment Vote Is Unconstitutional"
Hong Joonpyo Calls for Orderly Resignation Instead of Impeachment
Emphasizes President Must Personally Present a Solution

Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo reiterated his claim that the impeachment of the president is not possible and called for an orderly resignation.

On December 9, through his Facebook page, Mayor Hong stated, "The freedom to vote naturally includes the freedom to abstain from voting." He added, "As far as I know, Australia is the only country in the world that imposes fines or otherwise compels voting if one does not participate. Naturally, one can also refuse to vote on impeachment."

Mayor Hong remarked, "When I saw pro-Park lawmakers entering the voting hall in an orderly manner during the Park Geun-hye impeachment vote, I thought it was a foolish act. During the Roh Moo-hyun impeachment vote, pro-Roh lawmakers refused to vote and turned the National Assembly plenary chamber into chaos." He continued, "Weren't those the same pro-Roh lawmakers who caused an uproar, asking why the National Assembly would impeach a president elected by the people?" He went on to say, "It is unconstitutional for the Democratic Party, with such a history, to force an impeachment vote." Mayor Hong further stated, "Impeachment is not possible; instead, pursue an orderly resignation. This can be achieved if both the ruling and opposition parties agree."

This is not the first time Mayor Hong has called for an orderly resignation. Earlier that morning, he also posted on Facebook, "If, a month ago when I issued a public warning, the urgency had been understood and a solution for the national crisis had been discussed with the opposition, things would not have become this dire. Even now, present a plan for an orderly resignation and find a way to restore the country to normalcy."

He added, "That plan should be presented directly by the president, not by the party. The party leader will not be able to escape responsibility for this situation, so entrusting the resolution to him is a farce that makes a mockery of politics. There is a saying, 'Gyeoljaehaeji,' which means that the person who tied the knot must untie it-that is, the person who caused the problem should be the one to resolve it."

Meanwhile, in relation to the December 3 Martial Law Incident, President Yoon has been banned from leaving the country. The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials filed a request for an overseas travel ban against President Yoon at around 3 p.m. that day, and the Ministry of Justice approved it. Odongun, head of the Corruption Investigation Office, stated at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, "All of our investigation personnel are determined to thoroughly investigate, with the principle of arrest investigation, those who are the ringleaders and key offenders of insurrection."