Harsh Criticism Toward People Power Party Lawmaker Who Defected
"I Declare, Your Political Life Is Over"
Yoo Young-ha, a People Power Party lawmaker who served as the lawyer for former President Park Geun-hye, fiercely criticized the People Power Party lawmakers who cast dissenting votes after the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed in the National Assembly on the 14th, saying, "Stop clinging pathetically to your parliamentary seats and leave."
Former President Park Geun-hye's Tears at Book Concert, Yu Young-ha Shows Emotion Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day, Yoo posted on Facebook, "Elegant ones, just leave. Stop clinging pathetically to your parliamentary seats and leave. I cannot be with cowards in the same party. You should not stay here." He also targeted them again, saying, "From now on, you are not comrades who can cross the line of death together. Leave as soon as possible."
The impeachment motion against President Yoon was passed on the afternoon of the 14th during a plenary session attended by all 300 members of the National Assembly, with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes. Of the 204 votes in favor, excluding 192 from the opposition parties, it appears that 12 votes in favor came from the People Power Party, which maintained a party line to reject the motion. Abstentions and invalid votes also reportedly came from the People Power Party.
He continued to express strong emotions in subsequent posts. Yoo directed his words at the ruling party lawmakers who cast dissenting votes, saying, "Is the party line decided in the party meeting child's play? Did you think you could stab us in the back like a rat after silently pretending to follow the party line? Did you think it would be hidden forever?" He added, "Soon, your dirty and petty names will be revealed, and they must be revealed."
He also said, "Dear splendid ones, never make excuses or hide. You are heroes who saved the country, and those of us who opposed the impeachment today are accomplices and abettors of treason, aren't we? Your names will shine forever in the government building, so why hide? Your proud names will be recorded and evaluated for a long time. Come out proudly," demanding, and warned, "Remember, heaven will take away your political life. I assure you, your political life is over."
Earlier, Yoo stated, "The president's declaration of martial law is unacceptable. Even so, there are many doubts about whether treason is established as the opposition claims," and expressed the view that "impeachment should only be pursued after a thorough investigation of illegal and unconstitutional acts and when responsibility is recognized."
Yoo is known to have served as former President Park's legal representative and stood by her until the end before entering the National Assembly through the last general election. On the 11th, he recalled December 3, 2013, when Park's impeachment motion passed the National Assembly, saying, "It was cold that day, and I was alone. Soon, a harsh winter would come, and I thought I might not live to see spring. I remember crying bitterly out of fear and loneliness, feeling left alone in the world. The loneliness and fear of that cruel first night of winter still remain as trauma." He added, "History repeats itself. Especially cruel history repeats without fail. But overcoming it is the task of the living. The coming winter will be deep and harsh, but we must endure it while waiting for spring."
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