Kim Yong-min "Calls for President Yoon's resignation may emerge around next summer... Could also come from People Power Party"

President Yoon's Attendance at Resignation Rally to Convey Public Voice
Current Administration's Decree Rule Judged Unconstitutional and Illegal
"If Public's Threshold Is Exceeded, Resignation or Impeachment Procedures Are Inevitable"

Kim Yong-min, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on the 30th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, predicted that public opinion calling for the resignation and impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol will become visible around next summer or fall. Kim also introduced the expectation that calls for resignation could emerge within the People Power Party as the general election approaches.

On the 14th, on SBS Radio’s ‘Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show,’ Kim said, "Right now, even if 30,000 protesters gather, it may not seem large, but if the rallies continue and the incompetence and lies of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration persist, the numbers could gradually increase." He added, "When the public perceives that a critical threshold has been crossed, a situation may arise where they demand (President Yoon’s) resignation or proceed with the constitutionally prescribed impeachment process."

He forecasted that this period might be "after next summer or around fall when the next general election is approaching, the atmosphere could become much clearer." Kim also mentioned the possibility that the ruling People Power Party might join the calls for resignation. He said, "When the general election nears and the People Power Party cannot guarantee the election results, calls for the president’s resignation could arise within the party as well." He added, "There could be calls for resignation, or at least demands for party members to leave, and various discussions about holding responsibility?although the intensity may differ?but distancing from the president could emerge on that side too."

Regarding impeachment, Kim refuted the criticism questioning whether President Yoon violated constitutional or legal grounds for impeachment. He said, "From my perspective, there are definite violations of the constitution and laws," citing the use of presidential decrees. Kim stated, "In cases like the Personnel Verification Team or the Police Bureau, they directly violated the Government Organization Act, and the presidential decrees that directly violate the Prosecutors’ Office Act are presidential orders, so constitutionally and legally, the responsibility lies with the president." He concluded, "I believe there are already clear grounds for unconstitutionality and illegality," implying that the requirements for impeachment have already been met.

Concerns were raised not only by the People Power Party but also by some members of the Democratic Party regarding Kim’s attendance at the rallies. The People Power Party even demanded Kim’s expulsion from the Democratic Party. On the 8th, at a rally calling for President Yoon’s resignation, Kim said, "A person who was never qualified to be president is in office, so the state of the country has become a mess," and added, "We must prevent the Yoon Seok-yeol administration from completing its five-year term and enable a swift resignation according to the will of the people."

Regarding his attendance at the rally, Kim said, "As a member of the National Assembly, I clearly expressed that this is the voice of the people," adding, "That’s why it was reported in the media." He said, "If the government knew how to take political responsibility, it would apologize, reflect, and show a willingness to improve, thereby recovering its approval ratings." He continued, "But if it fails to do so and maintains the current stance, responding with lies and suppressing those who raise their voices, public sentiment will ultimately not be sustained."

In response to some within his party saying that mentioning resignation was "going too far," Kim said, "The sensitivity to fairness and injustice differs, so some reacted more quickly," adding, "Ultimately, I think they will share the same thoughts once a certain threshold is reached." When asked if he would attend rallies again, he said, "Whether I speak or not depends on the situation at the time, but I will continue to attend to listen to citizens’ voices on-site and communicate with them."

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