Despite 'Yoon Impeachment' Momentum... Ruling Party Lawmakers Say "Will Vote Against Impeachment Bill" (Summary)

Kang Myung-gu "Impeachment Bill Condemning Me for Treason"
Yoon Sang-hyun "Cannot Hand Over Power to the Democratic Party"
Woo Jae-jun "Gathering Public Opinion in Daegu Region"

Ahead of the vote on President Yoon Seok-yeol's second impeachment motion scheduled for 4 p.m. on the 14th, some members of the People Power Party publicly expressed their opposition to the impeachment while the party is still discussing whether to take an official stance for or against it.

People Power Party lawmaker Kang Myung-gu stated on Facebook in the afternoon, "I will enter the National Assembly plenary session at 4 p.m. today and vote against the presidential impeachment motion," adding, "Amidst a flood of fake news and one-sided claims regarding the president's declaration of martial law, I cannot agree with the impeachment motion that recklessly labels the martial law measures specified in Article 77 of the Constitution as treason."

The People Power Party held a closed-door meeting of its lawmakers at the National Assembly from 10 a.m. to discuss participation in the impeachment vote and whether to adopt an official party stance for or against it. The party has leaned toward participating in the impeachment vote but has yet to reach consensus on adopting an official stance on the impeachment.

For the presidential impeachment motion to pass, at least 200 lawmakers (two-thirds of the total members) must agree. If all opposition bloc members (192 seats) vote in favor, at least 8 ruling party defectors' votes are needed for approval.

Participants of the rally urging impeachment are shouting slogans demanding resignation in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 14th, ahead of the second impeachment vote against President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Lawmaker Kang criticized, "Martial law was lifted after just three hours," and added, "However, for ten days after the martial law, the opposition and left-wing camps recklessly labeled it as treason and continued indiscriminate impeachment and intimidation attacks against the president and government ministers."

He further argued, "This impeachment vote conducted under such political oppression and violence does not protect democracy," and stated, "While the National Assembly can immediately lift the president's martial law, no one can check the parliamentary violence and tyranny of the major opposition party, which is the current reality of South Korean politics."

Earlier that day, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also expressed opposition to the impeachment on Facebook, saying, "I am not trying to protect President Yoon personally. I oppose the impeachment to protect the Republic of Korea's system, future, and descendants," and added, "We cannot hand over power to the Democratic Party led by the shameless Lee Jae-myung."

People Power Party lawmaker Woo Jae-joon also wrote on Facebook, "I have made various efforts for an orderly resignation, but the situation has become increasingly difficult," and expressed regret, saying, "Now, only the vote remains, which is very unfortunate."

He continued, "As a legal professional, I believe that the emergency martial law incident could constitute grounds for impeachment," but added, "Nevertheless, as a lawmaker representing the Daegu region, I intend to vote against the impeachment motion today after reflecting the local public opinion."