Yu Yeongha: "Park Geun-hye Worried About Impeachment... Also Concerned About the Country"

Former President Park Geun-hye reportedly expressed considerable concern regarding the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol in the National Assembly.

On the 19th, Yoo Young-ha, a member of the People Power Party known as a close aide to former President Park, appeared on Channel A's radio show 'Political Signal' and stated, "Former President Park expressed some worrisome remarks." He added, "It is not appropriate to disclose the specific details here, but she was very concerned," and "She expressed worries about the future of the country." Yoo was the personal lawyer for former President Park during her 2016 impeachment trial.

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited the residence of former President Park Geun-hye in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, on November 7 last year, and is seen walking and talking with former President Park. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding President Yoon’s announcement that he would personally argue his case, unlike former President Park who never appeared during her impeachment trial, Yoo evaluated, "I believe there is not much difference between the legal team arguing and the president himself going to argue." He added, "In some ways, it might be more persuasive, but there are also inherent risks. I think President Yoon will give it more careful consideration."

Concerning the 14 members of the People Power Party who broke party lines and voted in favor of the impeachment motion during the National Assembly vote on the 14th, Yoo said, "Those who publicly supported the impeachment said they would take responsibility for not following the party line. However, what is disappointing is that many people were deceived that day." He continued, "It felt like a betrayal to many, as if they pretended to support the party line but cast opposing votes. I believe it was a lack of basic human decency."

This is not the first time Yoo has criticized members of his own party who voted in favor of President Yoon’s impeachment motion. On the 14th, he also posted on his Facebook, saying, "Is the party decision made in the caucus just child's play?" and criticized, "They said nothing during the caucus and pretended to follow the party line, but then betrayed us like that?did they think it would remain hidden forever?" He added, "Just wait. Soon, the dirty and petty names of those people will be revealed, and they must be revealed."