Kwon Seong-dong: "Democratic Party pushing impeachment of Han Deok-su... Behavior no different from gangsters"

Park Chandae Criticizes Impeachment Proposal Declaration
"Must Face National Aftermath"

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for pushing an impeachment motion against Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-su, saying, "The Democratic Party's intimidation politics, threatening incessantly, has reached its peak," and described it as "no different from a gangster threatening retaliation if money is not deposited within two days."

In his opening remarks at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 24th, Acting Leader Kwon said, "Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, threatened two days ago that if Acting President Han does not promulgate the Double Special Investigation Act (Special Investigation Act on the Rebellion and Special Investigation Act on Mrs. Kim Geon-hee) by today, he would hold him accountable. Finally, this morning's meeting declared that they would file an impeachment motion," he said.

Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Acting Leader Kwon pointed out, "The opposition party says they will impeach Acting President Han not as Acting President but as Prime Minister," adding, "The reason for impeachment is his duties as Acting President, but the official grounds for impeachment are his duties as Prime Minister. Where in the world is there such wordplay?"

The reason the Democratic Party intends to file an impeachment motion against Acting President Han based on his role as Prime Minister is that the approval threshold for a Prime Minister impeachment is lower than that for a presidential impeachment. A Prime Minister impeachment motion passes with the approval of a majority of the total members (150 or more). Since the Democratic Party holds 170 seats, they can pass the Prime Minister impeachment motion on their own. In contrast, a presidential impeachment motion requires the approval of two-thirds of the total members (200 or more). Even if all opposition seats are combined, they total 192, so at least eight defections from the People Power Party would be needed for it to pass.

Acting Leader Kwon said, "The Democratic Party always claims complicity in rebellion, but the 'overcoming rebellion' they talk about is a dictatorship slogan aimed at destroying the constitutional order," adding, "The reason the Democratic Party is pressuring Acting President Han so much is to hold an early presidential election before Representative Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks fully materialize." He then warned, "The Democratic Party must face the national repercussions after Acting President Han's impeachment," and strongly cautioned them "not to act recklessly."