Seohun Oh Changes Stance... "Yoon Must Face Legal Judgment Through Impeachment"

On the 12th, Statement Made via Facebook
Also Emphasized "The Party Must Be United"
Five Days Ago, Said "Impeachment Is Not a Panacea"

Regarding the 12·3 emergency martial law, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who had previously advocated for a responsible prime minister system instead of presidential impeachment, has changed his stance. On the 12th, Mayor Oh stated, "Based on the facts revealed so far, the president must face legal judgment through impeachment proceedings."

On the same day, Mayor Oh posted on Facebook, "Now is the time to make a decision for the future of the Republic of Korea." He added, "That decision must be made as a party consensus. The party must be united in the face of such a national issue. We must not be divided." This is interpreted as meaning that impeachment should be established and pursued as the party's official stance.

President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment motion was defeated due to a lack of quorum caused by the collective abstention of People Power Party lawmakers. On the 10th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon attended the first Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Until now, the People Power Party governors, including Mayor Oh, have demanded a responsible prime minister system rather than impeachment. On the 6th, the People Power Party Governors Association issued a statement saying, "President Yoon Seok-yeol should form an emergency national unity cabinet led by a responsible prime minister and step back to a secondary role," adding, "Presidential impeachment must be avoided. We must prevent any further constitutional suspension."

Mayor Oh also emphasized on Facebook on the 6th, "Impeachment is not the only solution," and stated, "To stabilize state affairs, we must transition to a responsible prime minister system and form an emergency management cabinet."

The background for changing his position to support impeachment appears to be based on the judgment that Korea is in crisis. On the same day, Mayor Oh said, "The president, who should resolve the issue, remains silent, and the party is fragmented," adding, "External credibility has plummeted, and the national economy has worsened. The economic situation must be normalized quickly."

Addressing the division within the ruling party over attendance and voting on impeachment, he said, "We must go beyond party interests and use the future of the Republic of Korea as the standard for judgment," explaining, "Because the stability and prosperity of Korea are more important than the party's future."