"Ruling Party Leadership Did Well to Issue Acceptance Message...
Lawmakers Should Follow Suit"
Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min urged President Yoon Suk-yeol and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung to issue a message accepting the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling, saying, "It is regrettable that the two most important figures have not come out with a clear message of acceptance."
On the 17th, Yoo said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "It was good that our party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se and Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong publicly announced the party's official position to accept the impeachment ruling," adding, "It must not have been easy to promise acceptance in an atmosphere where many lawmakers are attending anti-impeachment rallies."
Former People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min is being interviewed at the Asia Economy headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
However, he emphasized, "What is more important is the acceptance by President Yoon and Leader Lee," adding, "It is the natural duty of the president and the leader of the main opposition party to send a message of 'let's stop division and conflict and unify'." He said, "It would have been better if President Yoon had issued a message of acceptance during his final argument, but he has not done so yet," and added, "If the Constitutional Court dismisses the case, he should return to office, and if the court upholds the impeachment, issuing a message of acceptance immediately would be the president's last duty."
He continued, "Why does Leader Lee, when given opportunities to speak at numerous official meetings, only make passing remarks on YouTube like 'What if I don't accept it?'" and criticized, "Why can't he speak clearly, publicly, and officially in front of the people?" He also said, "If the Democratic Party's Supreme Council issues a clear and public message even today, people like me can trust it."
Leader Lee previously stated on Channel A's YouTube on the 12th, "In a democratic republic, what would happen if one does not accept a decision made according to the constitutional order? Naturally, one must accept it, and we have accepted it."
When asked whether lawmakers currently advocating for dismissal of the impeachment ruling could accept the court's decision, he replied, "Realistically, it will not be easy," and added, "Some may not accept it." He also pointed out, "Politicians who incite at anti-impeachment rallies in the streets are very dangerous," and said, "The division and conflict among hardline supporters is a national crisis, and acting on it for political gain is truly wrong for politicians." He further added, "Since the party leadership has made a difficult promise to accept, lawmakers should follow suit," and "This applies equally to Democratic Party lawmakers."
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