Kim Bu-gyeom: "The Only Way is Impeachment... People Power Party Must Change Their Judgment"

"No Time to Talk About an 'Orderly Retreat'"

President Yoon Suk-yeol has become the first sitting president to be subjected to a travel ban. Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum stated, "This must have happened due to the urgency and gravity of the situation," adding, "Now, the People Power Party must also change its stance on the issue of presidential impeachment."

On the 10th, Kim Boo-kyum said this on KBS Radio's 'Jeonggyeok Sisa,' stating, "The idea that a sitting president planned a rebellion is something that cannot be accepted by common sense," and added, "There will likely be several more shocking scenes for the public to witness."

Former Prime Minister Kim Bu-gyeom. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the state of emergency martial law situation, the prosecution, police, and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (PCA) are conducting simultaneous investigations. The prosecution arrested former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, and the PCA proactively requested a travel ban on President Yoon. Kim Boo-kyum said, "It seems that each investigative agency has requested various materials," and added, "Ultimately, if a special prosecutor is approved by the National Assembly, related cases can be compiled and organized."

On the 7th, the opposition party pushed for the president's impeachment, but the motion was dismissed due to lack of quorum. The Democratic Party plans to reintroduce a second impeachment proposal, reinforcing evidence related to President Yoon's alleged rebellion crimes, report it at the plenary session on the 12th, and put it to a vote on the 14th.

Kim Boo-kyum stated, "For President Yoon, who is suspected of committing crimes akin to rebellion, his duties must be suspended quickly to proceed to the next steps, and currently, impeachment is the only method," asserting, "There are related laws and regulations in the constitution." He continued, "There is no time for 'orderly retreat' talk," emphasizing, "If the opposition party files an impeachment motion, the People Power Party must also change its judgment on the matter."

Kim Boo-kyum also criticized Representative Han's statement in a public address, where Han said, "Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will closely consult with the party to manage people's livelihoods and state affairs without disruption." He said, "I cannot understand how people who know the law well can behave like this while the sitting president is still in office." Kim Boo-kyum further addressed President Yoon, saying, "I don't know what thoughts led to such reckless actions, but he cannot avoid heavy responsibility," and added, "The minimum duty to the people is to cooperate quickly with the investigation so that the constitutional order can function normally."