[Comprehensive] "Must Not Provide Excuse for Backlash" Ruling Party Advocates Caution on 'Yoon Seok-yeol Impeachment Debate'

Kim Du-kwan "No Reason for Democratic Party to Hesitate on Yoon's Impeachment"
Some in Ruling Party Raise Calls for Caution

Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, who returned to work following the Administrative Court's approval of the suspension of the enforcement of his disciplinary action, is arriving at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 25th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid ongoing calls within the ruling party to push for the impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea is taking a cautious stance, warning that it could backfire against public sentiment. Even if an impeachment motion is proposed and passed, there are concerns that if the Constitutional Court does not uphold the impeachment, the political backlash would be unbearable. The opposition parties have collectively criticized the move, calling "Impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon a path to self-destruction."

On the afternoon of the 27th, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan posted on his Facebook page a message titled "Impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol is fully possible!" He argued, "Prosecutor General Yoon abused prosecutorial investigative powers to infringe on the president’s personnel authority, effectively directed surveillance on judges to attack the administration, refused and obstructed inspections of himself and his close aides, thereby rejecting control under the national power order," and added, "He violated the duty of neutrality of the prosecution in virtually every possible way and engaged in biased political activities."

He continued, "There is absolutely no reason for the Democratic Party to hesitate in impeaching Prosecutor General Yoon, who has infringed upon the nation’s greatest legal interests," emphasizing, "Impeachment is necessary for institutional reform. As long as the Prosecutor General acts as the vanguard of the opposition party, conducting targeted and retaliatory investigations to attack the administration, institutional reform will never be easy. Removing the obstacle to reform?that is the impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon."

Earlier, since the court’s decision on the night of the 24th to allow Prosecutor General Yoon’s return to duty (accepting the suspension of disciplinary action), Kim has posted consecutively for three days starting from the 25th, advocating for "Impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan is questioning at the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee's audit of the Daegu Regional Tax Office and the Bank of Korea Daegu-Gyeongbuk and Pohang Headquarters, held on October 20 at the Bank of Korea Daegu-Gyeongbuk Headquarters in Dongin-dong, Jung-gu, Daegu.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

However, some within the Democratic Party are showing a cautious attitude toward the impeachment debate, emphasizing institutional prosecutorial reform. On the same day, Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young posted on his Facebook, stating, "Impeachment could lead to dismissal by the Constitutional Court," and stressed, "We must control our emotions."

He added, "We must not provide an excuse for a backlash. We need to thoroughly build a legal basis," and proposed, "Let’s completely separate investigation and prosecution. Let’s appoint prosecutors and judges openly. Let’s strengthen the jury system. Let’s clarify the separation of powers more clearly."

The National Assembly can pass an impeachment motion with the proposal of at least one-third of the total members and a majority vote. In terms of seats, the Democratic Party (174 seats) alone can exceed the quorum. Upon the Assembly’s approval, the Prosecutor General’s duties are suspended. However, the impeachment must then be reviewed by the Constitutional Court. For the final impeachment decision, at least seven Constitutional Court justices must be present, and six or more (two-thirds) must agree.

Regarding this, former Democratic Party lawmaker and former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Lee Seok-hyun said on Facebook that impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon is "not a good strategy," explaining, "The National Assembly may approve the impeachment motion, but the Constitutional Court is unlikely to uphold it."

He further explained, "The disciplinary committee’s decision to impose a two-month suspension rather than dismissal or removal is a major obstacle to impeachment," and added, "Since the Constitutional Court’s review process is careful, the Prosecutor General’s term will expire during that time, ending the grounds for impeachment."

He said, "Rather than a loud but hollow impeachment, what the National Assembly should promptly do is separate prosecutorial investigative powers and appoint a conscientious head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press briefing on current issues such as the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit and COVID-19 vaccines at the National Assembly on the 27th. On the right is Bae Hyun-jin, floor spokesperson.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the opposition parties are launching fierce attacks against the impeachment debate of Prosecutor General Yoon.

On the same day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, held a press conference and said, "If an impeachment motion against Prosecutor General Yoon is attempted as recklessly as a drunken madman swinging a sword, it will inevitably face the anger of the people and historical judgment," and criticized, "The Democratic Party administration must not forget that it is heading straight toward self-destruction."

Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, also criticized in a verbal statement, "Lawmaker Kim’s remarks on 'Impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon' ignore and violate the constitutional spirit of separation of powers, effectively declaring a dictatorship," and questioned, "Is invoking impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon and stirring up public division truly for prosecutorial reform? The government and ruling party should stop inciting social chaos, wasting national strength, and instead reflect and awaken."

Jang Je-won, People Power Party lawmaker and member of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also harshly criticized on his Facebook, saying, "The last desperate struggle of the pro-Moon faction who have lost reason is becoming more intense," and accused, "They are excitedly willing to sell out law, common sense, and conscience for the sake of protecting power."

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