National Council, 'Han Deok-su Impeachment' Variable... Uncertain from First Meeting

Opposition Pressures Impeachment Motion Against Han Deok-su
No Progress in Talks Ahead of Tomorrow's First Meeting
"Future Schedule May Also Be Postponed Sequentially"

In an effort to resolve the turmoil of the impeachment political crisis following the emergency martial law situation, the ruling and opposition parties along with the government agreed to put their heads together, but the National Security Council is facing setbacks even before taking its first step. Since the opposition party has announced plans to impeach Han Deok-su, the Acting President and Prime Minister representing the government, the holding of the first meeting scheduled for the 26th is uncertain.

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is receiving a status report during his visit to the Jungbu Fire Station in Seoul on the 24th to mark the year-end and New Year. Photo by Yonhap News

A National Assembly official stated on the 25th, "A working-level meeting to activate the council should have taken place by today at the latest, but it did not," adding, "It is highly likely that the launch of the council and subsequent schedules planned for tomorrow will be postponed one after another." A People Power Party official also said, "No discussions have progressed at the working level," and "At this point, the holding of the council is very uncertain."

The opposition believes that the People Power Party’s nomination of Kwon Young-se as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman and the ongoing leadership restructuring have influenced the situation. Park Sung-jun, the Democratic Party’s senior deputy floor leader, said on MBC radio, "We proposed to hold working-level consultations on the agenda, but the People Power Party is not prepared," and predicted, "It will be quite difficult to take the first step of the National Security Council tomorrow."

On the 25th, a banner from the People Power Party reading "Are you impeaching even the Prime Minister? Stability comes first" was hung at the main gate of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Many in the political circle view the impeachment issue against Acting President Han Deok-su as causing setbacks to the council’s launch. The Democratic Party has threatened to file an impeachment motion if Han does not immediately proceed with the appointment process after the National Assembly passes the consent bill for the three constitutional court justice candidates recommended by the legislature at the plenary session scheduled for the 26th.

If the impeachment motion is actually filed, it would mean a conclusion that Han is 'unfit' to perform state affairs. Sitting down with Han in the council to discuss state affairs would create an uncomfortable situation not only for the ruling and opposition parties but also for Han himself. An opposition official said, "If the impeachment issue is not resolved, it will be difficult for the council discussions to make progress."

A National Assembly official forecasted, "Given the current situation, it does not seem easy for the council to be activated within this week."