Governor Kim Tae-heum: "I Doubt the Constitutional Court Will Make a Fair Judgment Due to Ideological Bias"

In Kukmin Ilbo Interview:
"People Will Not Accept the Decision"

Kim Taeheum Chungnam Governor

Kim Taeheum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, stated regarding the impeachment trial of President Yoon Sukyeol, "I do not believe that either the acceptance or rejection of President Yoon's impeachment motion will resolve the social and political turmoil."

In a recent interview with Kukmin Ilbo, Governor Kim said, "There is suspicion that the Constitutional Court justices are ideologically biased and will not make a fair ruling, so the public will not accept the decision," expressing his concerns.

He continued, "The issue regarding the husband of Constitutional Court Justice Jeong Kyesun must be addressed. Unlike during the impeachment of former President Park Geunhye, the balance between conservatives and progressives is now very tight," emphasizing, "Politics should be restored to a state where negotiation is possible, not just insisting on one's own position."

He particularly worried, "In this situation, if the impeachment motion is accepted and an early presidential election is held, whether it is Lee Jaemyung from the Democratic Party or a candidate from the conservative camp who becomes president, either side is unlikely to accept the result."

Governor Kim asserted, "A new power system must be established to enable national unity," and also advocated for constitutional amendments toward a parliamentary cabinet system or a semi-presidential system.

He said, "It is reasonable to reform the system into a parliamentary cabinet system with a bicameral legislature dividing the National Assembly into an upper and lower house," adding, "However, since there may still be some attachment to the presidential system, we should amend the constitution to a semi-presidential system where the president is responsible for diplomacy and national security, and the prime minister is responsible for the economy and public welfare."

Governor Kim Taeheum stated, "Seeing that the People Power Party has formed a special committee on constitutional amendment, it seems they acutely feel the need for it," and added, "Since the Democratic Party is also expressing support for constitutional amendment, it appears to be possible."