Impeachment Motion Against Choi to Be Reported at 2 p.m. on the 2nd
Ruling Party Weighs Timing of Vote as Yoon’s Impeachment Verdict Nears
'Double Impeachment' Strategy Including Han Ducksoo Put on Hold for Now
As the impeachment motion against Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, is scheduled to be reported at the plenary session on the 2nd, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea is facing deep concerns with the impeachment trial verdict date for President Yoon Seok-yeol set for the 4th. The strategy to pursue a 'double impeachment' including Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is also currently on hold.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Chan-dae, floor leader, and other supreme council members held a supreme council meeting on the 24th at the tent office installed in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. 2025. 03. 24 Photo by Yoon Dong-joo
On the 2nd, a key Democratic Party floor leader told Asia Economy in a phone interview regarding the 'reporting of Deputy Prime Minister Choi’s impeachment motion at the plenary session,' "There is no intention to withdraw it, nor is it under consideration." The plenary session, starting at 2 p.m. that day, will report the impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister Choi, which was proposed by the five opposition parties. Once the motion is submitted, it is automatically reported at the first plenary session following the proposal.
However, there is deep internal debate within the Democratic Party about whether to immediately proceed to a vote. When an impeachment motion is reported to the plenary session, a secret ballot vote on whether to impeach must be held no sooner than 24 hours and no later than 72 hours after the report. A key floor leader said, "Personally, I think it is appropriate to proceed, but we need to gather the opinions of the members again at the general meeting," adding, "Since the verdict date for President Yoon’s impeachment is also set for the 4th, there are voices saying we should focus on the verdict itself, so careful consideration and coordination are needed."
The day before, Park Sung-jun, the senior deputy floor leader, also stated regarding the impeachment plan, "It will be reported at the plenary session, so we will appropriately adjust the voting."
There was also consideration of impeaching Acting President Han for not appointing Ma Eun-hyuk, the constitutional court justice candidate recommended by the National Assembly, but this plan is also on hold pending the impeachment verdict. With the verdict date for President Yoon’s impeachment trial set for the 4th, the momentum to push for Ma’s appointment has been lost.
Another key floor leader said, "The situation where Ma has not been appointed continues, and since the Acting President must also announce the presidential election schedule, we need to observe the situation," adding, "Since the Acting President has roles to fulfill, there may be opinions questioning whether pursuing impeachment is appropriate, so a comprehensive consideration will be necessary after the verdict is delivered."
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