The Democratic Party Likely to Participate in Vote on Yoon Impeachment... Party Policy Change Under Discussion (Comprehensive)

Kwon Seong-dong Suggests "Let's Participate in Voting"
Opposition Still Present... Atmosphere of Persuasion
More Than 8 People from the People Power Party Support Impeachment

The People Power Party's likelihood of participating in the vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol increased on the 14th. A closed-door party meeting has been ongoing since the morning, during which Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong proposed, "Let's participate in the vote." During the first impeachment vote on the 7th, the motion was automatically dismissed due to a lack of quorum, but this time it appears the ballot box can be opened.

The People Power Party held a closed-door party meeting at the National Assembly from 10 a.m., attended by Representative Han Dong-hoon and Floor Leader Kwon, to discuss participation in the impeachment vote and whether to adopt a party stance for or against it.

Floor Leader Kwon proposed participation in the vote based on his personal opinion during the meeting, saying, "Please discuss among the members whether to change the party stance." The People Power Party has maintained a 'rejection' party stance since the first impeachment vote. Floor Leader Kwon had previously stated at a press briefing that all matters, including support or opposition to the impeachment and attendance at the vote, would be discussed and decided at the party meeting.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

While the party meeting was underway, Representative Cho Kyung-tae told reporters that many members were leaning toward participating in the vote. However, it is reported that there is still no consensus on whether to adopt a party stance for or against the impeachment. Representative Cho explained, "There is a stark difference between those who support and those who oppose. The temperature gap is large." He added, "Those in favor of impeachment are mostly resolved and silent, while those opposed are trying to persuade others."

Representative Kwon Young-se also told reporters, "Floor Leader Kwon suggested, based on his personal opinion, that members should participate in the voting." Representative Go Dong-jin said, "The majority are leaning toward entering and voting, but some are opposed, so we need to watch a bit longer," adding, "It seems that the opinion to participate in the vote has been widely accepted."

During the first impeachment vote, the motion was automatically dismissed due to a lack of quorum. However, with the increased likelihood of People Power Party members participating in the vote this time, it seems the ballot box can be opened. Political circles analyze that more than eight People Power Party members will publicly or privately express support for impeachment. For the impeachment motion to pass, at least two-thirds of the total members, 200 or more, must vote in favor, which means at least eight defections from the People Power Party are needed. During the first impeachment vote, only three members?Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, and Kim Sang-wook?participated, but the situation is different this time. So far, additional ruling party members publicly supporting impeachment include Cho Kyung-tae, Kim Jae-seop, Jin Jong-oh, and Han Ji-a.

Representative Han Dong-hoon also stated on his way to the National Assembly that day, "Today, we must all think only of the Republic of Korea and its people. I will do so as well." Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party member who participated in the first impeachment vote, also announced he would vote in favor of the impeachment motion. In a statement, Ahn said, "Today, I will support the impeachment vote against President Yoon in accordance with the people's will to restore the broken constitutional order of the Republic of Korea and to promptly stabilize livelihood, economy, and diplomacy." During the first vote, Ahn did not follow the party stance and remained alone. After meeting with Representative Han, Kim Sang-wook, who had staged a one-person protest urging support for impeachment, pointed out, "Protecting constitutional order and liberal democracy is the most important value of conservatism," and criticized, "Yoon Seok-yeol has directly damaged that and divided conservatives."

If the impeachment motion passes that day, President Yoon, who is the head of diplomacy, defense, and administration, will be immediately suspended from duty. Subsequently, the system will shift to Prime Minister Han Deok-soo acting as president, and the Constitutional Court will promptly begin a review period of up to 180 days.