Impeachment Gains Momentum, 'Orderly Resignation' Loses Strength

People Power Party Sees Increasing Number of Lawmakers Willing to Attend Vote
High Possibility of Impeachment Motion Passing on 14th
'Orderly Resignation' Fails to Gain Intra-Party Support

President Yoon Suk-yeol's 'impeachment timer' has been reactivated. This time, there is a growing sentiment that it will be different from the first attempt. Ahead of the second impeachment vote scheduled for the 14th, members of the People Power Party are increasingly expressing their intention to participate in the vote. The ruling party's plan for an 'orderly early resignation,' which was meant to stabilize the political situation, is failing to gain support within the party. It is expected that defections from the ruling party will increase.

On the 11th, the Democratic Party of Korea will file the impeachment motion against President Yoon in the afternoon. Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "(The People Power Party) must participate in the second impeachment vote and guarantee the conscience of its members," adding, "This Saturday (the 14th), the National Assembly will fulfill the earnest wishes of the people." At an emergency economic inspection meeting held afterward, Lee also said, "Resolving political uncertainty through the second impeachment vote is the most important prerequisite for economic recovery." On the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel, an 'impeachment timer' set for 5 p.m. on the 14th appeared.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Emergency Economic Inspection Meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 11th. Photo by Yonhap News

The second impeachment motion is expected to include specific grounds for impeachment regarding President Yoon's misconduct in office and violations of the Constitution and laws, based on the first impeachment motion filed on the 4th. Attention is focused on whether concrete testimonies and circumstances concerning the illegality of the emergency martial law and 'acts of rebellion' will be included. If specific charges of rebellion against President Yoon are explicitly stated, it is anticipated that the People Power Party will face significant pressure in opposing the impeachment vote.

In political circles, unlike the vote on the 7th, the possibility of the impeachment motion passing this time is considered higher. This is because the People Power Party, which had boycotted the vote and thus invalidated it, is showing signs of rapid disintegration.

In the Yeongnam region, among pro-Yoon factions and senior lawmakers, voices opposing the impeachment vote remain strong. However, among lawmakers from the metropolitan area, non-Yoon factions, and first- and second-term members, there are clear signs of wavering. In addition to Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, and Kim Sang-wook, who participated in the first impeachment vote, lawmakers such as Cho Kyung-tae and Bae Hyun-jin have expressed their intention to participate in the vote. According to reports, some members of the People Power Party leadership are also considering attending the vote. Unlike the vote on the 7th, when the quorum was insufficient and the ballot box could not even be opened, it is now certain that the ballot box will be opened this time. People Power Party lawmakers are already under widespread public pressure. Since the vote is by secret ballot, there is a high possibility of hidden defections once participation occurs.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is attending an emergency members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

On the other hand, the 'orderly early resignation' plan proposed by Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, as a measure to stabilize the political situation is losing momentum. The People Power Party's 'Political Stabilization Task Force' suggested holding the presidential election after a resignation in February or March, but this has not gained support within the party. For now, the pro-Yoon faction, centered in Yeongnam, insists on a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term, allowing President Yoon to remain in office for a considerable period. Conversely, the pro-Han faction is increasingly skeptical about the possibility of President Yoon's resignation itself and is concerned whether the public would accept President Yoon remaining in office for two to three more months.

The opposition party criticizes Han's 'orderly early resignation' plan as "an unconstitutional and anti-rule-of-law act that denies the crime of rebellion, lacks enforceability, and provides President Yoon with a way to plot a second rebellion while in office." Although the ruling party argues that 'orderly early resignation' is a faster way to resolve the situation, it is difficult to overcome public backlash. For this reason, the momentum is gradually shifting toward the approval of impeachment.

On the 7th, President Yoon Seok-yeol delivering a national address at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The possibility of President Yoon being detained has also increased. The prosecution has arrested former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key suspect in the December 3 emergency martial law incident. Legal circles predict that the prosecution, which effectively named President Yoon as the mastermind of the rebellion in the arrest warrant request for former Minister Kim, will soon move to secure President Yoon's custody. However, emergency arrest or issuance of an arrest warrant for a sitting president is extremely rare, and there is a possibility of physical confrontation with the Presidential Security Service during the warrant execution process. Nevertheless, the charges against President Yoon involve rebellion, which is not protected by presidential immunity, specifically the charge of being the mastermind of rebellion, punishable only by death, life imprisonment, or life imprisonment with hard labor. Furthermore, calls for a swift and strict investigation into President Yoon are growing, making it difficult for the Blue House to block the prosecution's forced investigation.