Kim Yongtae: "People Power Party Must Nullify Its Official Stance Against Impeachment"

"Constitutional Court Unanimously Decided on Dismissal"

On June 21, Kim Yongtae, the interim leader of the People Power Party, stated, "The party must nullify its official stance against impeachment, as a sign of taking responsibility for and reflecting on the past."

Yonhap News Agency

At a press conference with local reporters held at the People Power Party's Jeju Provincial Office on the same day, Kim said, "During the impeachment process, the Constitutional Court unanimously decided on dismissal," and made these remarks. However, he emphasized, "I cannot agree with the argument that opposing impeachment was equivalent to defending martial law."

He continued, "I believe that both those who supported and those who opposed impeachment expressed their positions with patriotism and sincerity," adding, "Even during the process in which the party's official stance was against impeachment, I think the opinions of National Assembly members, who are constitutional institutions, should have been respected."

Regarding the 'five major reform proposals,' including the nullification of the party's anti-impeachment stance, which he proposed, Kim said, "The best way is to proceed by securing agreement through a party member opinion poll." He added, "While it may be difficult to conduct a poll on every issue, establishing a framework that allows for broader consensus in determining official party positions is the starting point for change. I will do my best to see this through during my term."

He further stated, "If realistically (the opinion poll) is not feasible, the next best option is to demonstrate the intention that the next leadership can pursue the reform proposals through a party member poll," and emphasized, "Although I do not have much time left in my term, regardless of who takes over the leadership, the will for change and innovation must continue." Kim's term ends on the 30th.

Regarding Lee Junseok, a member of the Reform Party, encouraging him to run in the party convention, Kim said, "I am grateful for the good advice," and added, "Whenever I meet Lee, I tell him that the conservative bloc is on the verge of collapse, so I urge him to join forces with the conservative camp, even now."

On the Jeju 4·3 Incident, Kim stated, "At the time, the U.S. military government and the Syngman Rhee administration brutally sacrificed tens of thousands of innocent Jeju residents while suppressing the general strike by the South Korean Workers' Party, which opposed the separate elections," and added, "That pain is not only Jeju's pain but also the pain of the entire Republic of Korea."

He continued, "A complete resolution of 4·3 is an urgent national task," and said, "We must ensure practical healing and recovery through the establishment of a National Trauma Healing Center and a specialized nursing hospital, as well as by expanding medical support and welfare systems for the bereaved families. Although we have become the opposition party, we will keep the promises we made to the people."