[Tokkanoeko Chongsun] Why Is the Korean Party Talking About Impeachment?

[The political scene ahead of elections is always full of various strategies and possible outcomes. It is not easy to understand the inner workings.

As the April general election approaches, reporters from the Asia Economy political department, covering Yeouido and election scenes across the country, have a roundtable discussion. 'Roundtable' means 'a candid conversation without hesitation.' It's like saying, 'Let's speak frankly.' Of course, even reporters cannot know everything in detail. But since their job is to think about politics while reporting up close, they can read a bit more of the underlying atmosphere and nuances.

The primary purpose was to share flows that cannot be captured in articles among reporters, but they also aim to faithfully serve as accessible information providers to readers. They hope to broaden understanding of the general election scene and even act as a small 'think tank' during drinking party debates. Above all, they hope to contribute to fostering affection that supports the 'lesser evil' or 'second best' instead of useless political hatred. (For smoother conversation, nicknames are used. Since the lively conversational style is conveyed as is, honorifics may be omitted.)]

Former North Korean Embassy Minister in the UK, Tae Yong-ho, is announcing his entry into the Liberty Korea Party and his candidacy for the 4.15 general election constituency at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

◆Dolpa = Let's talk a bit about candidate Tae Young-ho (former North Korean embassy minister to the UK). This is the first time a defector is running in a constituency, right?

◆Political3Dan = He has appeared before on proportional representation.

◆YeouidoTMI = They will probably give him a strategic nomination in a winnable district.

◆Dolpa = If he goes to Gangnam, how will the residents react?

◆ModukkagiInhyeong = From the residents' perspective, the top priority is someone who will develop our area. Will they accept a defector representing our district? I'm not sure.

◆Dolpa = What strategy did the Liberty Korea Party use to recruit him? They need to gain even one more constituency seat.

◆YeouidoTMI = From the Liberty Korea Party's point of view, they probably think he won't lose if they send him to their stronghold.

◆JeongAlMot = They are confident that if he runs under the Liberty Korea Party banner, he will be elected.

◆YeouidoTMI = A National Assembly aide raised doubts about how well Tae Young-ho understands Korea's market economy and can perform legislative activities. Especially regarding real estate issues. Anyway, they probably thought he was the best figure to criticize Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea policy.

◆Dolpa = There is a concern that he might give an image of being anti-unification.

◆YeouidoTMI = Among Liberty Korea Party supporters, many believe Moon Jae-in administration's unification policy direction is wrong.

◆SeoulSaram = Tae Young-ho does not oppose unification itself.

◆YeouidoTMI = He says he will play a role for true unification.

Sim Jae-cheol, floor leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

◆Dolpa = Impeachment has again emerged as a keyword in the election scene. It is a very delicate card but has appeared. Should we see this as a strategy of the Liberty Korea Party?

◆Political3Dan = It is a double-edged sword. After the 2004 impeachment, it backfired in the general election. During former President Park Geun-hye's time, it was impeachment and regime change. I don't know what the Liberty Korea Party thinks. Strategically, they should carefully review past cases.

◆Dolpa = From the current perspective, they might think they should push harder on the morality issue triggered by former Minister Cho Kuk's scandal. The president is the person responsible.

◆Political3Dan = Building consensus is important. Will it be an issue the public can empathize with?

◆ModukkagiInhyeong = Conservatives will probably empathize. It helps consolidate their support base.

◆SeoulSaram = Personally, my father's friends send many messages. They say the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun started from election interference issues.

◆YeouidoTMI = There are too many premises now. They are not saying they will do it now, but if evidence comes out, they say they will do it after the 21st National Assembly following the general election. They keep dragging the Ulsan mayoral election interference controversy, highlighting it as the president's fault. The far-right forces have been talking about impeachment all along.

◆Dolpa = What some conservative forces say and what the Liberty Korea Party floor leader says are completely different levels. Regardless of whether it will be executed, the message is 'If you give us power, we will do it.' But on the other hand, it could act as a mechanism to consolidate Democratic Party supporters because of strong trauma about impeachment.

◆JeongAlMot = From the perspective of the so-called Gwanghwamun Taegeukgi forces, they don't like the Liberty Korea Party. There is also Our Republican Party. Maybe they are conscious of the more right-wing supporters.

◆Political3Dan = From the centrist perspective, if the Liberty Korea Party pushes for impeachment, it will be seen as revenge. There will be strong backlash.

Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju is expressing his position on the 4.15 general election 'disqualification' judgment at the National Assembly on the 11th. At this event, former lawmaker Jeong appealed his grievance but stated that he would accept the party's decision for the success of the Moon Jae-in administration. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

◆Dolpa = Former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju is also a very interesting figure these days. There was the era of 'NaGomSu' (Naneun Ggomsuda).

◆JeongAlMot = He was popular. But as a politician, isn't it getting difficult now? Though he doesn't seem to think so.

◆SeoulSaram = Jeong Bong-ju talks about system nomination. He was acquitted in the first trial, so why is he being targeted?

◆JeongAlMot = Running as an independent?

◆SeoulSaram = It's hard to ignore him even in the Democratic Party. He probably can't run under the Democratic Party name, but there is speculation whether they might give him some other position. I think the chance of running as an independent is low. He probably won't completely abandon the Democratic Party.

◆Political3Dan = I think he will run as an independent.

◆Dolpa = He will run as an independent and come back alive?

◆Political3Dan = There have been many such cases in past elections. If he doesn't succeed this time, he has to wait another four years. He might endure criticism.

◆YeouidoTMI = Will he be qualified four years later?

◆Dolpa = If he is acquitted in the final trial, who knows what will happen.

◆JeongAlMot = From Jeong Bong-ju's perspective, he might feel unfair because of a public opinion trial. But will this issue be easily forgotten?

◆Dolpa = If he claims innocence, he will think the party expelled him just on suspicion. He might try desperately one way or another. He spent a year in prison and was barely pardoned, but politically blocked, so it must be painful.

◆Political3Dan = When Kim Yong-min from NaGomSu ran, the Democratic Party lost the election. They must be worried this time as well.

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