"Attacking Justices Is an Anti-Conservative Act"
Criticism Also Directed at Party Leadership
Kim Sang-wook, a member of the People Power Party, claimed regarding the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol, "If the impeachment dismissal decision is made, President Yoon will declare martial law again, and the Republic of Korea will collapse."
On the evening of the 12th, Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kwon Soon-pyo's News High Kick' and said, "(President Yoon's) dismissal decision is unavoidable." Kim pointed out, "The king of this country is not the president but the people and the constitutional order," adding, "The president is merely a salaried public official. If such a person destroys the legislature and goes against the will of the people, it is naturally a coup."
He continued, "For the Constitutional Court to dismiss the impeachment, there must be grounds for emergency martial law, no procedural or substantive defects, no deviation in discretion, and political rationality," and noted, "(President Yoon's side) has not cleared any of these hurdles."
Kim said, "If, despite this, a strange decision (dismissal) is made, the Republic of Korea will collapse," adding, "Millions of citizens will take to the streets to protest."
He further expressed concern, saying, "Considering President Yoon's temperament, he will declare martial law again and deploy martial law troops," and warned, "If martial law troops are deployed, a rebellion will occur within the troops, leading to bloody conflicts between martial law troops and citizen militias, and between martial law troops and rebels."
Kim also said, "It won't just stop there," adding, "Our country is at the center of the interests of the four major powers, so the United States, China will intervene, and North Korea is also involved. Truly unimaginable events will occur."
Regarding the ruling faction within the party criticizing the Constitutional Court for 'hasty deliberation,' Kim rebutted, saying, "It seems they have deliberated sufficiently."
Kim said, "It seems they see that a strong supporter base is gathered in front of them, and based on this, they can control the party leadership and gain short-term benefits," criticizing, "If their purpose is to expand their personal political influence, that is wrong politics." He emphasized, "Politics should be directed toward the people. Serving the people is the beginning and the end."
He added, "A healthy conservative must prevent populism and defend against extremism," criticizing, "Shaking democracy with baseless election fraud claims, attacking judges over Constitutional Court and court decisions, and efforts to undermine judges' trust are anti-conservative acts."
Kim, considered a 'pro-impeachment' figure within the party, has taken a principled stance by supporting both the resolution to lift emergency martial law and the impeachment motion against President Yoon in December last year. Serving as the chairman of the People Power Party's Ulsan City Party Committee, he addressed recent reports of his resignation, saying, "I am considering it, but reports that I have made a decision have come out." He added, "The city party chairman is a position appointed by consensus, and if those who appointed me no longer trust me, insisting on holding the position is undemocratic."
However, Kim clarified, "I want to make it clear that my resignation as city party chairman is not because I am wrong," stating, "It is because I am being pushed out by the existing vested interest cartel."
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