Kim Moonsoo: "If Elected Party Leader, Will Investigate Human Rights Violations Against Yoon"...Cho Kyungtae: "Is This Yoon-ocracy?"

Kim Moonsoo Pledges Fact-Finding Investigation Into Human Rights Violations
Debate Intensifies Over Party’s Stance on Former President Yoon’s Impeachment

Kim Moonsoo, a candidate running for the leadership of the People Power Party, announced on the 19th that if he becomes party leader, he will launch a fact-finding investigation into possible human rights violations against former President Yoon Sukyeol and others.

Candidate Kim Moonsoo, running for the leadership of the People Power Party, is attending the 3rd television debate of the 6th party convention held at the TV Chosun studio in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 19th, waiting for the start. Photo by Yonhap News

During the third TV debate for the party leadership candidates, hosted by TV Chosun that afternoon, Kim stated, "There have been many human rights violations due to the three major special prosecutors against Lee Jaemyung," and added, "If I become party leader, I will immediately form a fact-finding committee to investigate what human rights violations may have occurred against former President Yoon."

Kim further explained, "I plan to investigate and respond to excessive human rights violations, such as search and seizure operations and travel bans, regarding what happened at Yoido Full Gospel Church and Far East Broadcasting Company."

Previously, during a TV debate on the 10th, Kim had also criticized the special prosecutor's continued investigation of former President Yoon, who is imprisoned, stating, "They tried to forcibly arrest former President Yoon, resulting in his injury and hospitalization. This is a serious human rights violation. The whole world is watching."

Kim asked candidates Jang Donghyuk and Ahn Cheolsoo if they would join him in pursuing a fact-finding investigation, to which both replied, "Yes." Jang added, "I have already said I would create a task force (TF) to respond comprehensively to investigations into lawmakers and others."

On the other hand, Cho Kyungtae, classified as part of the pro-impeachment faction, objected, saying, "This is going too far regarding former President Yoon. Is South Korea a Yoon-centered state?"

The debate also saw heated exchanges over whether to withdraw the party's official opposition to the impeachment of former President Yoon.

Jang stated, "Even if I could go back, my position against impeachment remains firm. There were ways to resolve this through other political means to prevent national division, rather than handling it solely through impeachment."

Kim also remarked, "There is a significant difference between the Democratic Party supporting impeachment and the People Power Party impeaching the president we elected."

Cho pointed out, "Does this mean that no matter what our party members do wrong, we should protect and forgive them? A public party should consider the nation, the people, and the country, and covering up for each other even when individuals do wrong is the behavior of a private group."