5·18 Group "People Power Party, Join Yoon's Impeachment"

"Acts of Rebellion and Treason Must Not Be Met with Silence or Neglect"

A banner calling for impeachment was hung in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th, as the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol failed to pass due to a lack of quorum caused by the collective abstention of People Power Party members from the vote. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

The May 18 organizations urged the People Power Party to approve the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol, who triggered the '12·3 Emergency Martial Law Incident,' ahead of the re-vote in the National Assembly.

The three May 18 public law organizations (the Bereaved Families Association, the Injured Association, and the Meritorious Persons Association) and the May 18 Memorial Foundation issued a joint statement on the 13th, stating, "President Yoon justified his acts of rebellion and shifted the responsibility onto the opposition party and the public using the crude term 'wild sword dance.' This is a clear act of treason and rebellion that tramples on the Constitution and democracy and betrays the trust of the people."

The organizations said, "The election of Yoon's closest aide, Representative Kwon Seong-dong, as floor leader can only be suspected as an intention to obstruct the impeachment," warning, "If Floor Leader Kwon leads the opposition to impeachment, the People Power Party lawmakers will not be able to escape the tsunami-like wave of public judgment."

They continued, "The National Assembly and People Power Party lawmakers must no longer overlook or protect President Yoon," emphasizing, "We strongly demand that People Power Party lawmakers no longer remain silent or evade responsibility and immediately join the impeachment."

They also stated, "Impeachment is not merely a political task but an inevitable demand to restore democracy and constitutional order in the Republic of Korea," adding, "Silence and neglect will never be forgiven by the people and history."