Ruling Party: "Opposition Must Accept Yoon's Impeachment Verdict"
Opposition: "New Government Should Negotiate with the U.S."
On the 3rd, the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a blame game after the Donald Trump administration in the United States announced it would impose a 25% reciprocal tariff on products manufactured in Korea and imported into the U.S. The People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party for its impeachment offensive, saying it made it difficult to properly respond to the reciprocal tariff issue, while the Democratic Party countered that if President Yoon Seok-yeol’s emergency martial law and the internal rebellion government continue, future negotiations could become even more difficult.
On the morning of the same day, Kwon Young-se, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, referred to the U.S. reciprocal tariff announcement during the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly, stating, "To overcome this crisis and move forward on the path of leapfrogging, politics must change first. Politics must become a mediator of conflict and a catalyst for social integration."
Although a public-private joint economic security strategy task force (TF) has been launched and companies have met with President Trump to respond to trade issues on the ground, Kwon implied that the political sector missed the golden time for crisis response due to the Democratic Party’s impeachment offensive. He urged, "No matter how different opinions are, problems must be solved through dialogue and compromise. And this process must be carried out within the framework of laws and institutions." He called on the Democratic Party to "reflect on its stance and declare acceptance of the impeachment trial verdict against President Yoon."
Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong also criticized, saying, "When the steel tariff took effect on March 13, the Democratic Party was fervently visiting the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office in protest. On March 21, when the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy met with the U.S. Secretary of Energy, the Democratic Party proposed an impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Choi Sang-mok. When the automobile tariff was announced on March 27, the Democratic Party launched an overnight protest demanding impeachment." He accused, "The Democratic Party’s lust for power burned the golden time for trade response."
Regarding the impeachment push against Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok, Floor Leader Kwon said, "Acting President Han was impeached less than two weeks after speaking with former U.S. President Biden, and Deputy Prime Minister Choi had an impeachment motion proposed just three weeks after meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Vestent. In such a situation, how can the Republic of Korea negotiate with the U.S., and will the international community properly engage in discussions with Korea?" He urged the suspension of impeachment motions.
Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on April 3, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
On the other hand, the Democratic Party urged the government to swiftly negotiate with the U.S. through all channels, including high-level talks, while criticizing the Yoon Seok-yeol administration for being responsible for the reciprocal tariffs. Jin Sung-jun, the Democratic Party’s Policy Committee chairman, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the tent headquarters in Gwanghwamun, Jongno-gu, Seoul, "It seems there is a misunderstanding by the U.S. government regarding the Most Favored Nation treatment. Many experts say we do have negotiation cards." He suggested, "At the same time, we should consider utilizing the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute resolution procedures or multilateral agreements such as joint responses under the Asia Regional Comprehensive Alliance Partnership."
He added, "Acting President Han, who refuses to meet with the leader of the largest party in the National Assembly and claims to focus on trade measures, has not even heard news of a single phone call with President Trump. It is important to immediately dismiss President Yoon and quickly start trade negotiations with the U.S. under a new government." He emphasized, "Internal rebellion is shaking not only our daily lives but also our trade and diplomacy. Resolving this unprecedented uncertainty is the top priority."
Lee Jun-seok, nominated as the presidential candidate of the Reform New Party, criticized both the People Power Party and the Democratic Party, proposing, "We should also actively provide reshoring incentives to prevent companies from relocating production bases overseas." In a post on Facebook that day, Lee said, "Now, political leaders in Korea should focus on encouraging corporate activities and swiftly removing regulations rather than distribution-oriented concerns like basic income or free series. It will be difficult to overcome this crisis without leaders who respond agilely to the global environment and have a high understanding of the science and technology hegemony competition, rather than ‘couch generals’ who are obsessed with eliminating political rivals within domestic politics."
Jinseongjun, the Policy Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. 2025.2.25 Photo by Kim Hyunmin
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