Korean Party Pulls Out Presidential Impeachment Card... Again 2004?

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader, and other supreme council members are attending the supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Liberty Korea Party has brought out the impeachment card against President Moon Jae-in. They are accusing President Moon of being the 'mastermind' behind the alleged interference in the Ulsan mayoral election. This is expected to be a decisive battleground in the upcoming general election that the Liberty Korea Party is emphasizing.

Shim Jae-cheol, the Liberty Korea Party floor leader, said at the Supreme Council meeting on the 10th, "If President Moon does not confess, after the 21st National Assembly is formed following the general election, we will push for a state audit and a special prosecutor investigation," adding, "If even a slight involvement of President Moon is revealed, we will pursue impeachment. If the president was involved in election manipulation, the people will naturally demand impeachment."

He pointed out that the indictment states that the police investigation status was reported to Yoon Gun-young, then head of the Blue House's Office for National Policy Planning, emphasizing, "This is a direct report to the president. President Moon remains silent, but the people demand an explanation from the president. He should confess honestly before the people."

Shim also said, "Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae struggled to hide the prosecution's indictment," adding, "The Blue House tried to conceal the criminal facts by any means. Since Minister Choo did not submit the indictment, which violates the National Assembly Act, we will file a criminal complaint today and also propose an impeachment motion against Minister Choo."

He emphasized that lawyer Kwon Kyung-ae, a member of the Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun), also criticized it as an 'election crime.' Kwon stated on her Facebook the previous day, "Thirteen people have been indicted on charges of a disgraceful abuse of power election, where eight organizations including the Blue House's Civil Affairs Office and the Office for National Policy Planning tried to get a friend of the president elected by using the local police chiefs to frame and imprison the opposing candidate on corruption charges," adding, "Looking at the criminal facts stated in the indictment, the 1992 Chogwon Bokjip meeting is nothing compared to this. Although there was no confinement or terrorism, the manipulative conduct of the investigation rivals the political police activities of the Syngman Rhee era."

However, she posted another message saying she is seriously considering withdrawing from both the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and Minbyun and is not participating in activities of the two organizations, expressing concern that "being misrepresented as the general opinion of Minbyun might cause trouble for other Minbyun lawyers."

The Democratic Party of Korea is strongly opposing this. Lee In-young, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The Liberty Korea Party's irresponsible political strife remarks are crossing the line, which is very regrettable," adding, "Mentioning the president's impeachment and attacking the government with harsh words to find a reason for Hwang Kyo-ahn, the Liberty Korea Party leader, to run is irresponsible behavior. It is no different from shooting at our own troops."

He continued, "In an emergency situation where the lives of the people are at stake, calmness and unity should be political virtues. Now is the time to refrain from exaggeration and agitation."

Looking at the contents of the prosecution's indictment, there is considerable speculation that it is effectively targeting the highest levels. Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl said at the prosecutor transfer ceremony on the 3rd, "As prosecutors enforcing election laws, we must focus our investigative capabilities and ensure thorough handling of election offenders," and also mentioned, "The work of the prosecution is difficult not only because of the volume of cases but also because there are many factors that make handling cases challenging. The source of strength to overcome these while upholding law and principles is smooth communication within the prosecution organization and a pleasant workplace atmosphere." This was interpreted as showing a strong will regarding the Ulsan mayoral election interference case.

This situation recalls the impeachment crisis of former President Roh Moo-hyun. In 2004, ahead of the general election, the Grand National Party and others passed an impeachment motion against former President Roh for supporting a particular party. However, this backfired and led to the Uri Party's overwhelming majority victory.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.