'Yoon's Attorney' Kim Kyeri to President Lee: "Think of the Nation, Not Rewards for Supporters"

Served as Defense Attorney in Yoon Sukyeol's Impeachment Trial
Claims Martial Law Declaration Was Intended as an "Enlightenment Order"

Kim Kyeri, who served as a defense attorney in the impeachment trial of former President Yoon Sukyeol, expressed regret over the results of the 21st presidential election.

On the 4th, Kim wrote on her social networking service (SNS), "I kept refreshing the vote count updates until dawn broke." She recalled that after the 20th presidential election, the owner of a chicken skewer shop in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, which she often visited during her exam preparation days, said, "During the 20th election, I voted for Lee Jaemyung because I heard he would give out some money, but since Yoon Sukyeol won, I thought he would do a good job." Kim argued that most voters "did not vote based on grand narratives or firm values. It doesn't matter who wins, but if something about a candidate resonates with them, they vote for that person."

Kim Kyeri, attorney for former President Yoon Sukyeol, who has been indicted on charges of leading an insurrection and abuse of authority obstructing the exercise of rights, is entering the Seoul Central District Court courtroom in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 19th. Photo by Asia Economy

She continued, "There was nothing but defeatist talk like 'Eodaemyung' (meaning 'Lee Jaemyung will be president anyway')," but emphasized, "It was a winnable fight. All forces, including the media and YouTube, kept shouting 'insurrection,' and even the police and prosecutors joined in to craft a storyline and concentrate their firepower, yet Lee Jaemyung still failed to secure a majority." She also criticized the People Power Party, saying, "There were votes that could have shifted beyond the solid undecided bloc, and instead of promoting candidate Kim Moonsoo, they wasted precious energy on pointless internal strife, undermining Kim Moonsoo's campaign." She added, "The actions of politicians are always full of things that are hard to understand." Finally, she said, "Now that Lee Jaemyung has become president, I hope he does not ruin the country by holding a feast of rewards for those who helped him rise to the position, but instead becomes a president who truly thinks of the nation."

Meanwhile, on the 17th of last month, Kim Kyeri applied for membership in the People Power Party, and the party's membership qualification review committee is expected to convene soon. At the time, Kim Yongtae, acting chairman of the People Power Party's emergency committee, told reporters at the National Assembly on the 19th of last month, "The Seoul city party has been instructed to convene the membership qualification review committee, and a decision will likely be made soon. As things stand, her membership is pending." According to the party's constitution and regulations, the membership qualification review committee is required to exist at both the central and city/provincial party levels.

At the time, Kim said, "For the first time in my life, I decided to join a political party and applied for membership. Right now, it is Kim Moonsoo's time, and he is the main character. There is much to share about his proven abilities, future vision, pledges, and even his ability to persevere." She added, "Everyone is watching. People are not fools. Now is Kim Moonsoo's time," and wrote, "It's not over until it's over; this is just the beginning, and there is only room to go up from here." Regarding Han Donghoon, the former People Power Party leader who has emphasized cutting ties with former President Yoon, Kim said, "If you are an adult, you must wait for the right time and do what needs to be done now."

Previously, on February 26, during the 11th hearing of the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon, Kim stated, "I have been enlightened. Anti-state forces seeking to overthrow the system are running rampant," and argued that the declaration of martial law was an 'enlightenment order.' After Yoon was removed from office, she announced the launch of a new party called 'Yoon Again,' but later put the plan on hold.