Kwon Seong-dong Announces Plan to Deliver Message Accepting Impeachment Verdict
Han Designated as Sensitive Country... Urges Swift Verdict on Han Duck-soo's Impeachment
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated ahead of the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Seok-yeol, "The party's official position is to accept the Constitutional Court's judgment."
On the afternoon of the 16th, Floor Leader Kwon held a press briefing at the National Assembly in Yeouido and, when asked by reporters about the party's stance on President Yoon's impeachment trial verdict, said, "Our party, myself, and Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se have expressed our intention to accept the impeachment trial verdict."
Earlier, Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon also stated at a National Assembly press conference on the 13th, "I have already said several times that I will accept the Constitutional Court's decision regarding President Yoon and the impeachment trial."
Floor Leader Kwon emphasized, "Since our party has already expressed its willingness to accept the verdict, we plan to issue an acceptance message again, whether as a joint message or by any other means."
Regarding some party members making pressuring remarks toward the Constitutional Court, he said, "I think these are hopeful remarks from individual lawmakers wishing for the impeachment to be dismissed," adding, "I do not think it is appropriate for a democratic party to control each individual lawmaker."
He expressed skepticism about Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, showing willingness to accept the verdict. Floor Leader Kwon said, "During the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye, when reports of a possible dismissal emerged, he publicly expressed his refusal, saying he did not agree," and added, "I am not sure about the sincerity of Leader Lee's statement of acceptance regarding this case."
He further added, "The fact that Leader Lee has not publicly and clearly issued a message accepting the Constitutional Court's decision makes me think he is essentially intimidating the Constitutional Court."
On the same day, Floor Leader Kwon also urged the Constitutional Court to promptly deliver a verdict on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment trial. He said, "The U.S. administration has added the Republic of Korea to the list of 'sensitive countries,'" and added, "Although the government is closely consulting with relevant agencies of the U.S. Trump administration, it is difficult to respond swiftly and closely at a high level to these diplomatic and trade issues under the 'acting of the acting' system, where both the president and prime minister are simultaneously suspended from duty."
He continued, "Given the gravity of the situation, the impeachment trial of the president must be conducted very carefully and strictly, but I urge that the impeachment trial of the prime minister be decided swiftly."
He added, "Especially, the role of Prime Minister Han, a former ambassador to the U.S. and a trade expert, is inevitably important," and said, "As of today, it has been 80 days since Prime Minister Han was suspended from duty, and a significant part of the golden time at the national level has already been wasted."
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