Gwangju Labor Community Sends 'Condolence Wreath' to People Power Party Gwangju Branch

Phrases such as Yoon Seok-yeol's Arrest and Detention, Dissolution of the People Power Party

On the afternoon of the 9th, a condolence wreath calling for the dissolution of the People Power Party was placed in front of the Gwangju branch of the People Power Party in Seo-gu, Gwangju by the Gwangju headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. Photo by Yonhap News

As voices condemning the People Power Party (PPP) for derailing the vote on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment motion continue, a protest condolence wreath was delivered to the PPP Gwangju City Party office.

According to PPP and related officials on the 10th, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) Gwangju Regional Headquarters visited the PPP Gwangju City Party office the previous day and delivered about 10 condolence wreaths bearing phrases such as "Arrest and Detain Traitor Yoon Seok-yeol," "Dissolution of the People Power Party is the Answer," and "Rejecting Impeachment is Ignoring the People and Colluding with Rebellion."

The wreaths included a warning note stating, "The KCTU sends this on behalf of the anger of Gwangju citizens toward the People Power Party, which betrayed the people and colluded with rebellion. Unauthorized removal is prohibited."

The KCTU stated, "The People Power Party trampled on the constitution and obstructed the procedures to restore democracy," adding, "Their political calculation to avoid immediate crisis and buy time will lead to an even greater, unmanageable crisis." They emphasized, "We will not stop our struggle until the people's demands are realized."

In response, a PPP Gwangju City Party official told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "There are no lawmakers from the Gwangju City Party who will participate in the impeachment vote, so we have no separate position."

Meanwhile, the opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea are pushing to bring the second impeachment motion against President Yoon to the National Assembly plenary session on the 14th. Amid this, a public 'support' stance has emerged from the ruling party, the People Power Party. On the same day, PPP lawmaker Kim Sang-wook held a press conference urging "the president's apology and immediate resignation," and stated, "I support the next impeachment vote against the president who planned an unconstitutional and anti-democratic martial law."

At the 4th Grand Rally of Gwangju citizens, which continued late into the night on the 7th, citizens wearing raincoats are holding cheering sticks. Photo by Song Bohyun