Kim Yong-min "Yoon, Voluntary Resignation Is Wise" vs Park Ji-won "That Would Backfire Instead"

Kim "Anger at Yoon government's incompetence and indifference," Park "Such talk too soon causes backlash"
People Power Party "Impeachment claims for a 6-month-old government are very inappropriate conduct"

Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaking at a rally held in front of Seoul City Hall on the 22nd. Screenshot from Kim's Facebook.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] On the 24th, Kim Yong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged President Yoon Seok-yeol to "take political responsibility." However, there have been critical remarks about Kim's statement both inside and outside the party. The People Power Party strongly criticized it as "an attempt to destroy the constitutional order."

Kim's remarks came during his appearance on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 24th, where he explained his attendance at the 'Candlelight Rally Demanding President Yoon Seok-yeol's Resignation and Special Investigation on Mrs. Kim Geon-hee.' Kim attended the rally held around Seoul City Hall Station on the 22nd and spoke as a speaker, asserting that "the ruthless Yoon Seok-yeol government and prosecutorial dictatorship must be stopped." Besides Kim, Democratic Party members An Min-seok, Yang Yi-won-young, Hwang Un-ha, and independent member Min Hyung-bae also attended the rally.

Kim explained his reason for attending the rally was "to directly hear and communicate with the people's level of awareness and anger on-site." He added, "The public's anger and disappointment are growing. Many attendees pointed out that the current government is not only incompetent but indifferent to issues like people's livelihoods and the economy."

When asked by the host what it means for President Yoon to take political responsibility, Kim replied, "The wisest thing is to voluntarily resign."

Kim explained, "Recently, in the UK, Prime Minister Liz Truss voluntarily resigned after 45 days. That is how politicians take political responsibility to the people." He continued, "If he really dislikes that, at least he should apologize for the way he has managed state affairs so far, clearly present a plan for government reform, and show a fundamental change in attitude by seeking the people's trust once again."

Regarding Kim's remarks implying President Yoon's intention to step down, the People Power Party launched harsh criticism. Yang Geum-hee, the senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and said, "Calling for the impeachment of a government that has been in office for just over six months is an intention to plunge the state into chaos," criticizing it as "a very inappropriate behavior for a sitting lawmaker."

Voices expressing concern about calls for President Yoon's impeachment and resignation also emerged within and outside the Democratic Party. Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won said on KBS Radio, "Some lawmakers expressing personal opinions is unavoidable," but added, "Even if the election was fiercely contested, once a president is elected, the opposition party and the people should cooperate to help that president succeed. Even if such talk arises in public squares, if responsible members of the Democratic Party voice such opinions too quickly, it will backfire."

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