Jo Kyung-tae: "More than 10 members of the ruling party likely to attend the second impeachment vote"

"Attend the Vote to Save the Republic of Korea"

People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae appealed to ruling party members to join in passing the impeachment motion, saying that "forcing the president to step down through impeachment is a stricter and more resolute measure" regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's orderly resignation plan.

Rep. Cho Kyung-tae of the People Power Party is responding to reporters' questions after leaving a closed-door party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Rep. Cho was the first ruling party member to publicly express support for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol but later reversed his position. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 11th, Cho appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I judge that the president has no intention of early resignation. This time, attending the vote and suspending the president's duties is the way to save the Republic of Korea."

Regarding the atmosphere within the party, he said, "I think there will be at least 10 people who say they will attend the second plenary session." However, he added, "Casting a vote in favor is a separate matter," and said, "What is clear is that the number of votes in favor is expected to increase compared to last time. I don't know whether the impeachment will pass or not, but I hope more members of the People Power Party will participate and join in passing the impeachment."

On the reason for following the party line of 'opposing impeachment' during the previous impeachment vote against President Yoon, he explained, "If impeachment is carried out, it could buy several months of time because the president's duties would be suspended but the presidency would still be maintained," and added, "I thought a lot about whether the public could accept that."

Regarding the party's 'Political Stabilization' task force (TF) reporting to the party meeting about a plan for the president to resign in February or March next year and hold the presidential election in April or May, he pointed out, "There is a question of whether the public will really wait," and criticized, "What if the resignation does not happen by March or April? It is a non-binding matter. Resignation in March or April is not convincing."