Is the Supreme Court to Blame for the Deterioration of Korea-Japan Relations?… Opposition Party Says "President Yoon's Violation of Separation of Powers is Grounds for Impeachment"

Kim Sung-hwan "The President Violates Separation of Powers and Grovels Before Japan"

Kim Seong-hwan, the chairman of the policy committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly warned that President Yoon Seok-yeol's criticism of the Supreme Court's ruling on compensation for forced labor during Japanese colonial rule is a "cause for impeachment."

On the 16th, Chairman Kim said at the Democratic Party policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly, "In an interview with the Yomiuri Shimbun released yesterday, President Yoon stated that the 'third-party payment plan' was his own idea and assured that there would be no future claims for recourse, so there is no need to worry," adding, "The people feel not just devastated but angry at a president who tells Japan, not our own citizens who are victims of forced labor, not to worry."

He said, "(President Yoon) said that the reason for the deterioration of Korea-Japan relations was the '2018 Supreme Court ruling,'" and added, "As the head of the executive branch and the head of state, the president violated the separation of powers and bowed deeply to Japan. In front of Japan, President Yoon even insulted the rule of law, which he himself had emphasized so much. This is also a cause for impeachment."

Chairman Kim also expressed understanding of the revised security document containing Japan's possession of counterattack capabilities and territorial claims over Dokdo, but condemned, saying, "The commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who should protect the people and the country, applauded Japan's destruction of peace in Northeast Asia and imperialist ambitions." He continued, "The people are aghast at the appearance of officials in the Yoon administration who not only rationalize Japan's wrongdoings but even beg Japan."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "The president should worry about the people, so why should the people worry about the president?" and added, "If the president even slightly understands the concerns of our people, I hope he will now completely revise the diplomatic line toward Japan."

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, also pointed out at this meeting, "Survivors of forced labor victims have officially rejected the government's solution, and the majority of our people oppose it, yet the president of the Republic of Korea only worries about Japan and tries to reassure them," and criticized, "Despite knowing that public opposition is strong, President Yoon's actions go against public sentiment, which is puzzling."

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