Kim Kyung-soo "I will fast until Yoon is dismissed... Democracy faces an existential crisis"

Kim Kyungsoo Joins Civil Society Hunger Strike on the Night of the 9th
"We Must Strive for Overwhelming Public Support for Impeachment"
Five Opposition Parties Call for Prosecutor General Shim Woojung's Resignation and File Complaint

Former Governor of Gyeongnam Province Kim Kyung-soo began a hunger strike on the 9th, calling for the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol. On the afternoon of the same day, Kim announced through social media (SNS), "Representatives of civil society leading the impeachment struggle have started a hunger strike demanding Yoon Seok-yeol's dismissal," adding, "I will also begin the hunger strike starting tonight."

Former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongnam Province. 2025.02.13 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The previous day, officials from the 'Emergency Action for Yoon Seok-yeol's Immediate Resignation and Social Reform' had already started a hunger strike near Gyeongbokgung Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Kim's side judged the current political situation as an existential crisis in the history of democracy and stated they would participate until the dismissal of President Yoon is confirmed.

Kim said, "The release of Yoon Seok-yeol is not simply an event of freeing the ringleader of the rebellion, Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "The far-right conservatives, who have become a solid bloc centered around the released Yoon Seok-yeol, will unite even more firmly, and even if the impeachment is accepted, they will not accept the Constitutional Court's decision." He continued, "They will follow Yoon Seok-yeol and, centered on the candidate he effectively nominated, will try to completely destroy the constitutional order in the post-impeachment presidential election," and said, "Since the democratic and anti-far-right coalitions have failed to overwhelm the far-right forces, the prosecution has revealed itself without hesitation as a collaborator in the rebellion."

He stated, "The co-conspirator in the rebellion, Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, must be immediately investigated, and the prosecution must be completely reformed," adding, "What we need now is overwhelming public support for impeachment. We must do whatever it takes to bring that about. I will return to the time and spirit when we fought against the dictatorship." He also said, "I earnestly appeal to all citizens who believe impeachment must be accepted. Now is the time to unite," and added, "What we need in this fight to protect democracy is to put aside regrets about each other and come together tightly. I will be a small seed of that victory."

On the same day, five opposition parties?the Democratic Party of Korea, the Party for Innovation and Justice, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party?called for Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung's voluntary resignation regarding President Yoon's release issue, stating that if he does not resign, they will push for impeachment. They also announced plans to file a complaint against Shim with the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongsoocheo) and jointly urge the Constitutional Court to promptly rule on President Yoon's dismissal. Furthermore, they intend to closely cooperate with civil society until President Yoon's dismissal and participate in outdoor rallies organized by civil society groups.