Gwangju, South Korea: According to an editorial from Korea JoongAng Daily on November 21, a significant rift has emerged within South Korea's Democratic Party (DP), with its hard-line faction demanding the submission of an impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol. This development came to light during a book publishing event in Gwangju, hosted by DP lawmaker Rep. Min Hyung-bae. Fellow hard-liner Rep. Kim Yong-min voiced support for the motion, asserting it would solidify opposition against President Yoon and bolster the party's prospects in the upcoming parliamentary election on April 10.
According to Yonhap News Agency, The Korea JoongAng Daily editorial criticized the proposal as illogical, citing the stringent requirements for impeachment under South Korean law. Impeachment requires a constitutional or legal violation by the president, submission of the motion by over half of the 300-member assembly, and subsequent approval by a two-thirds majority. The editorial dismissed the proposal as a mere political tactic to rally the DP's staunchest supporters, drawing parallels with the turmoil and public backlash from previous impeachments of former presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye.
Reps. Min and Kim, both first-term lawmakers, have been known for their hard-line stances. They led the charge on legislation to transfer investigative powers from the prosecution to the police, a move that was seen as contributing to the DP's defeat in the last presidential election. Their recent actions, including Rep. Min's temporary exit from the DP to facilitate the passage of the controversial bill and Rep. Kim's suggestion for President Yoon to resign, continue to stir controversy within the party.
Some DP lawmakers are under the impression that securing over 200 seats in the upcoming election might enable them to impeach the president. This view was bolstered by a conversation Rep. Min had with former justice minister Cho Kuk, who spoke of forming a "political coalition to end the prosecution-led dictatorship." Cho suggested that any presidential intervention in party affairs could justify impeachment, a stance that may not resonate with moderate voters crucial for the next election.
The editorial concluded by highlighting the challenges within the DP, particularly from its hard-liner faction. This group includes figures like Rep. Kim Nam-kook, known for cryptocurrency trading during committee meetings, and former Rep. Choi Kang-wook, who lost his seat following a conviction related to academic fraud. The editorial suggests that the DP's primary challenge in the upcoming election stems from within, highlighting the divisive influence of its hard-line members.