Democratic Party to Propose and Report Impeachment Motion Against Han Deok-su... Vote Scheduled for 27th Plenary Session

"A Statement Recognizing an Insurrection Proxy, Not an Authority Proxy"

The Democratic Party of Korea has initiated the impeachment motion against Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deok-su and begun the procedure to report it to the National Assembly plenary session.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 26th, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, met with reporters after a party meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and stated, "Acting President Han officially declared through a statement that he will not appoint constitutional court justices, which is a constitutional responsibility. This statement acknowledges that he is not merely an acting president but an acting leader of an insurrection." He added, "The Democratic Party will immediately file the impeachment motion against Acting President Han and report it at today's plenary session." The impeachment motion against Acting President Han was filed before the plenary session began.

The vote on the impeachment motion against Acting President Han is expected to take place at the plenary session held the following day. The impeachment motion must be reported to the plenary session and voted on between 24 hours and 72 hours thereafter. Roh Jong-myeon, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, explained, "(The grounds for impeachment) are five predetermined reasons," adding, "The fundamental reason for impeachment is the part about having been informed in advance of the insurrection plan." On the 24th, the Democratic Party presented reasons for impeachment including conflicts of interest such as the veto recommendation on the special prosecutor law concerning Sergeant Chae and Mrs. Kim Geon-hee, active participation in the insurrection, proposals for joint government operation plans, obstruction of insurrection investigations, and evasion of the duty to end the insurrection.

The impeachment schedule was moved up compared to the original plan. As of the morning of that day, the Democratic Party was expected to file and report the impeachment motion after gauging Acting President Han's intentions by the next morning. Roh, the floor spokesperson, explained, "The party had decided to postpone (the filing and reporting of the impeachment motion) by one day, but that reason disappeared," adding, "Even at the press conference of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's lawyer, it was stated that the emergency martial law declaration was reported in advance."

On the 26th, after Han Duck-soo, Prime Minister and Acting President, announced a statement, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced the results and position of the party's members' meeting, which citizens and travelers in the Seoul Station waiting room were watching. Photo by Heo Young-han

He also pointed out that the quorum for the impeachment vote against Acting President Han should be the same as that for appointed officials rather than elected ones. While the approval standard for impeachment of appointed officials such as the Prime Minister requires a majority of the total members, i.e., 151 votes in favor, the impeachment standard for the President and others requires a two-thirds majority of the total members. Roh said, "Before the impeachment motion against President Yoon is passed, it appears clear that there are illegal and unlawful acts committed by Han as Prime Minister," adding, "If the number of votes in favor exceeds 150, it is expected to be approved and proclaimed as is."

On the same day, Acting President Han announced through an emergency national address at the Government Seoul Office that he would appoint constitutional court justices if the ruling and opposition parties reach an agreement and produce a plan. This effectively rejected the opposition party's demand to appoint the constitutional court justices immediately once the appointment consent bill recommended by the National Assembly passes the plenary session. Han said, "The agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, who represent the people, is the last barrier that can secure democratic legitimacy and bring about national unity."