Gukhim to Vote on Yoon Impeachment... Party Stance is 'Rejection' (Summary)

6-Hour Party Meeting "Decided to Attend the Vote"
Kwon Seong-dong "An Attitude Proud Before the People"
Key Issue: Defections... "More Than 8 Possible"

The People Power Party has agreed to attend the vote on President Yoon Seok-yeol's second impeachment motion, unlike the first time. However, the party's official stance remains to vote against the impeachment. Unlike the first impeachment motion on the 7th, which was automatically dismissed due to a lack of quorum, there is now a higher possibility that the ballot box will be opened.

On the 14th, the People Power Party held a nearly six-hour-long party meeting starting at 10 a.m., deciding to maintain the party stance of 'rejecting impeachment' but to participate in the vote. During the first impeachment motion, after the re-vote on the special prosecutor law for First Lady Kim Keon-hee, the People Power Party left the plenary session and held a separate party meeting, choosing not to participate in the impeachment vote.

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

Kim Dae-sik, the party's chief floor spokesperson, announced the end of the meeting shortly after the originally scheduled 4 p.m. vote, stating briefly, "What we decided after a long party meeting is that the People Power Party will participate in this vote, but the party stance is to reject it." Just before, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the meeting, "Personally, I suggest attending the vote. This is an attitude that is honorable to the people." When asked by reporters during the meeting whether the party stance might change, he predicted, "The possibility of the party stance changing is low."

Various opinions were reportedly exchanged during the party meeting. Assemblyman Cho Kyung-tae conveyed that a majority of members were leaning toward participating in the vote. He explained, "There is a clear difference between those who support and those who oppose. The members in favor of impeachment are mostly resolved and silent, while those against are trying to persuade others."

Assemblyman Kwon Young-se also told reporters, "The floor leader suggested participating in the vote based on his personal opinion." Assemblyman Go Dong-jin said, "The tendency is toward everyone participating in the vote, but some are opposed, so we need to observe a bit more. It seems that many opinions have been gathered in favor of participating in the vote."

Although the People Power Party set an official stance against impeachment on this day, it is uncertain whether the party stance will be fully reflected in the vote. The approval requirement is 'two-thirds or more of the total members,' which means 200 votes are needed out of 300 members. If all 192 opposition members attend and vote in favor, at least 8 defections from the 108 People Power Party members are required.

During the first impeachment vote, only three members?Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, and Kim Sang-wook?participated in the vote, 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.

It is also expected that some ruling party members will vote in favor without publicly expressing their position. Kim Jong-hyuk, a Supreme Council member considered close to the pro-Yoon faction, appeared on a radio show and pointed out, "Since the president himself said he would undergo impeachment judgment, it is logically inconsistent for the party to try to block that." He added, "Those participating in the vote may feel considerably less burdened," and predicted that the second impeachment motion "has a very high chance of passing."

If the impeachment motion is approved on this 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 Duck-soo acting as the president, and the Constitutional Court will promptly begin a review period of up to 180 days.