Kim Du-kwan "Join the Impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol"... Personal Letter to Pan-Yeoh Lawmakers

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the 28th, Kim Du-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, sent a letter to pro-government lawmakers urging them to join the impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon. Despite concerns within the party about a 'self-defeating move,' he has taken concrete action to rally public opinion for Yoon's impeachment.

On the same day, Kim sent a letter titled "I earnestly appeal for your participation in the impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol" to lawmakers with pro-government leanings, including those from the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Open Democratic Party, Basic Income Party, and Transition Korea.

In the letter, Kim began by saying, "I understand that there may be various complex thoughts regarding my call for 'Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment,'" and added, "There have been encouraging messages of agreement as well as concerns and worries. First of all, I want to emphasize that this was a carefully considered decision after much deliberation on my part."

He continued, "Until the third Democratic government took office, we climbed rough mountains and crossed deep rivers. The hardest mountain was the death of President Roh Moo-hyun. After the prosecution, through its investigative authority and collusion with the media, caused the death of President Roh, we witnessed the hands of history turning backward during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations."

He said, "Prosecutorial reform became the destiny of the Moon Jae-in administration. When our Democratic Party achieved an overwhelming victory in the last general election, I expected that 'now prosecutorial reform would be possible,' but I did not anticipate such strong resistance from the prosecution. The roots of collusion between prosecutors and media and their sense of privilege exceeded our imagination. The raid on Minister Cho Kuk and the surprise indictment after the confirmation hearing were the peak of this, and from then on, blatant resistance to prosecutorial reform and continuous defiance against the president persisted."

Kim also pointed out, "It is difficult even to list all the violations of neutrality and 'anti-pro-government, pro-opposition' political acts by Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol," and criticized, "He responded to the president's words to 'investigate even the living powers' by investigating 'only the living powers.'

He added, "The pinnacle of such behavior is the 'nuclear power plant investigation' conducted through the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office. There is no prosecution anywhere in the world that investigates 'national policy.' This is a symbolic act showing with what determination he is opposing the president," and claimed, "Behind this bold move are conservative media and the People Power Party."

He stated, "We have an obligation to respond to the voices of the people and supporters who have given overwhelming support," and said, "Although I have heard opinions that this would be disadvantageous in the by-elections, holding by-elections while leaving Yoon Seok-yeol as Prosecutor General is like holding elections on the prison wall."

He concluded, "Please unite your strength for the impeachment of the Prosecutor General. When fighting a united minority, the first step is to strike at its peak. I hope to sit down with like-minded lawmakers to thoroughly discuss and review the legal aspects."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

▶Below is the full text of Kim's letter.

Hello, this is Representative Kim Du-kwan.

I understand that there may be various complex thoughts regarding my call for 'Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment.' There have been encouraging messages of agreement as well as concerns and worries. First of all, I want to emphasize that this was a carefully considered decision after much deliberation on my part.

Until the third Democratic government took office, we climbed rough mountains and crossed deep rivers. The hardest mountain was the death of President Roh Moo-hyun. After the prosecution, through its investigative authority and collusion with the media, caused the death of President Roh, we witnessed the hands of history turning backward during the Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye administrations. Ultimately, the candlelight citizens established the Moon Jae-in government.

And prosecutorial reform became the destiny of the Moon Jae-in administration. When our Democratic Party achieved an overwhelming victory in the last general election, I expected that 'now prosecutorial reform would be possible.' However, I did not anticipate such strong resistance from the prosecution. The roots of collusion between prosecutors and media and their sense of privilege exceeded our imagination. The raid on Minister Cho Kuk and the surprise indictment after the confirmation hearing were the peak of this, and from then on, blatant resistance to prosecutorial reform and continuous defiance against the president persisted.

It is difficult even to list all the violations of neutrality and 'anti-pro-government, pro-opposition' political acts by Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol. He responded to the president's words to 'investigate even the living powers' by investigating 'only the living powers.' The pinnacle of such behavior is the 'nuclear power plant investigation' conducted through the Daejeon District Prosecutors' Office. There is no prosecution anywhere in the world that investigates 'national policy.' This is a symbolic act showing with what determination he is opposing the president. Behind this bold move are conservative media and the People Power Party.

Another reason I call for the impeachment of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol concerns the fundamentals of democracy. The essence of this situation is that the judiciary suspended the disciplinary action decided by the executive branch. Then what should the legislature do? Should it accept the judiciary's decision as an irreversible final judgment? I have reached the conclusion that it should not. Controlling and checking the judiciary and executive branches is the role and duty of the legislature, and the power of impeachment is the legislature's most traditional weapon. The president bowed his head to the people as the appointing authority, but Prosecutor General Yoon, the subject himself, has not apologized to the people even once. He has abandoned the basic attitude of an appointed public official. The last bastion to correct such wrongdoing is the legislative body elected by the people, that is, you, the members of the National Assembly. This is the principle.

I understand the heavy heart and caution of lawmakers regarding this matter. However, we have an obligation to respond to the voices of the people and supporters who have given overwhelming support. Now, Prosecutor General Yoon will neutralize reform through all-out attacks on the administration. Reform is impossible without toppling the peak of that attack.

I have heard opinions that this would be disadvantageous in the by-elections. But I think holding by-elections while leaving the current Yoon Seok-yeol as Prosecutor General is like holding elections on the prison wall.

We must protect the president and democracy. Reform of power institutions is the people's mandate and the historical duty entrusted to our Democratic Party. For this reason, we must pursue impeachment and institutional reform together. Neither is right while the other is wrong. With over 170 seats, the Democratic Party is fully capable of this. Impeachment is a necessary condition for institutional reform, and institutional reform is a sufficient condition to fulfill the people's mandate.

Please unite your strength for the impeachment of the Prosecutor General. When fighting a united minority, the first step is to strike at its peak. Proceeding with reform without disrupting the united front of prosecutors and media is just a repetition of the past three years and six months. I hope to sit down with like-minded lawmakers to thoroughly discuss and review the legal aspects. I look forward to your meaningful response. Thank you.

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