Kim Sangwook of the Pro-Impeachment Faction in People Power Party Warns of National Crisis over Impeachment Dismissal
"Citizens with Common Sense Cannot Watch the Era of Dictatorship Unfold"
"Revolutionary Change Needed to Regain Power"
One day before President Yoon Suk-yeol's final argument in the Constitutional Court impeachment trial, Kim Sang-wook, a member of the People Power Party who has been leading the pro-impeachment stance within the ruling party, said, "If (the Constitutional Court) writes a dismissal ruling, South Korea will collapse." In an interview with Hankyoreh on the 24th, Kim said, "(If the impeachment is dismissed) citizens with common sense will not be able to watch the era of dictatorship with their eyes open, so they will have no choice but to take to the streets," adding, "If millions of people come out, the police will not be able to stop them, and at that time, a 'quasi-martial law situation' will be declared."
Kim Sang-wook, a member of the People Power Party, is speaking about his position in the Rotunda Hall after voting on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol at the National Assembly plenary session on December 7 last year. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
He continued, "Then clashes will occur between martial law troops and rebels, and conflicts between martial law troops and citizens will lead to a civil war," and warned of an extreme situation, saying, "Then the United States, China, and Japan will inevitably intervene. I am worried it might become like a 'second Syria'."
Regarding the current situation of the People Power Party, he said, "It is stuck in factional logic. Factional logic does not look at right or wrong but only at winning or losing," and added, "Only those who, like Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, speak strongly and blindly without bowing their heads even when they are wrong are respected," further evaluating, "As a result, the party leadership also shows a blind tendency and is solely obsessed with winning or losing." When asked about the 'reason for the party's far-right shift,' he answered, "I think the current situation was created by gathering a strong supporter base, making them follow oneself, gaining political power, and using party leadership in elections."
He also voiced his opinion on Hong Jun-pyo, mayor of Daegu, and Oh Se-hoon, mayor of Seoul, who are mentioned as potential presidential candidates within the ruling party. He said, "Mayor Hong Jun-pyo seems to be only looking at interests. It seems he only looks at what benefits him, so he is not suitable as a presidential candidate. Mayor Oh Se-hoon's position always seems ambiguous, so it is difficult to judge."
Kim said, "It is not right for the party that holds the original sin of the December 3 emergency martial law incident to recreate the government," but added, "Even so, if they want to talk about recreating the government, they must show revolutionary change and a will for reform to gain legitimacy. Among those mentioned as presidential candidates within the party, former representative Han Dong-hoon and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min come to mind."
When pointed out that his claims seem to differ significantly from the People Power Party, he said, "The People Power Party is sick now, but it was not like this from the beginning," and added, "I will do my best to help the People Power Party become a healthy conservative party again. The People Power Party can become a healthy conservative party, or it can become so extreme that we can no longer work together. If that happens, we will think about it then."
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