Opposition's Dilemma in Prosecutor General Impeachment Push: "Could Rally Yoon Supporters"

Lee Jaemyung: "Prosecution Releases Ringleader of Rebellion with Bizarre Trick"
Expert: "This Appears to Justify the Declaration of Martial Law"

Opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, are emphasizing Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung's responsibility and even hinting at the possibility of pushing for impeachment, but there are concerns that this could be a double-edged sword. This action creates a new variable ahead of the impeachment ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol and could backfire by rallying the ruling party's support base.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. 2025.3.10 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 10th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, criticized at the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, saying, "We have to wait for the higher court's ruling, but why is the prosecution, which used to harass with appeals and objections even when there was an acquittal, so lenient only toward President Yoon Seok-yeol?" He added, "The prosecution, which should be the order of this country and the last bastion, has released the ringleader of the rebellion with a bizarre trick." Earlier, the five opposition parties agreed at a roundtable meeting the day before to jointly accuse Prosecutor General Shim at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and to proceed with impeachment if he does not resign.

However, on the morning of the same day, Shim met with reporters on his way to work and said, "I made a decision based on my conviction according to the principle of due process," adding, "Impeachment is the authority of the National Assembly, so if the procedure proceeds, I will respond accordingly." While there were speculations within and outside the legal community that Shim might take responsibility for this incident, he dismissed resignation rumors and conveyed his intention to confront the National Assembly's impeachment move head-on.

The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, are holding the prosecution responsible for not filing an immediate appeal against the court's decision to release President Yoon Seok-yeol. On the 'YTN Radio News Fighting' program that day, Democratic Party lawmaker Park Soo-hyun criticized the prosecution when asked about the court's ruling, saying, "(Even the court) did not make a clear judgment," and "Therefore, the intention is to have the higher court make a judgment through an immediate appeal." Park also stated, "The Prosecutor General has no authority to direct Special Investigation Headquarters Chief Park Se-hyun regarding the cancellation of detention," and "Shim has committed abuse of power by this act itself."

The focus of attention is whether the opposition will proceed with the impeachment of the Prosecutor General as they have announced. Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said regarding the timing of the impeachment vote, "It is generally under consideration, and we will decide considering the National Assembly's schedule."

There is also controversy over whether it is appropriate for the opposition to emphasize the prosecution's responsibility rather than the court's. Eom Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said, "President Yoon's release was decided by the court, but they are trying to impeach the Prosecutor General," adding, "Since there is also an analysis that attributes the cause of martial law to the Democratic Party's impeachment, the Democratic Party needs to be calm even if it feels unfair."

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy explained, "Attacking the prosecution instead of the court, which is the decision-making body, lacks logical validity," and "Also, if impeachment is overused, it could strengthen sympathy for the declaration of martial law."

As political polarization deepens over the pros and cons of impeachment, there are also forecasts that impeachment will reinforce the current situation. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong predicted, "Many expect the impeachment ruling to come out this week, but even if impeachment is mentioned as a warning, the execution can be considered afterward," adding, "If impeachment proceeds, ruling party supporters will become more united, and the country itself will head toward continuous chaos."