[December 7 National Assembly] 11 AM?12 PM... Ruling Party Builds Unified Front vs Opposition Launches Public Opinion Battle

Handonghun Holds Emergency Meeting with Handeuksu
Ruling Party Lawmaker Who Supported Impeachment Also Switches to Opposition
Democratic Party Says "Opposing Impeachment Is Eulsaojeok"

On the morning of the 7th, six hours before the impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk-yeol, a chilling premonition of conflict began to spread in the National Assembly at 11 a.m. This was because President Yoon stated in a national address that "I will entrust our party (People Power Party) with the plan to stabilize the political situation, including my term."

Han Dong-hoon, the party leader, indirectly expressed his current feelings by wearing a black suit and black tie and mentioned President Yoon's 'early resignation.' Han briefly visited the People Power Party's parliamentary meeting held at the National Assembly and then immediately met with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to discuss future government operations. In political circles, there is an interpretation that Han has shifted his stance from impeachment to a responsible prime minister system or a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term.

Accordingly, even lawmakers who had supported President Yoon's impeachment began voicing opposition to impeachment following Han's intentions, rapidly forming a unified front.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is leaving the meeting room of the People Power Party's members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and moving to a vehicle. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Jo Kyung-tae, the most senior member within the ruling party with six terms and a leading figure of the pro-Han faction, also reversed his position from supporting President Yoon's impeachment to opposing it. Jo told reporters at the National Assembly that day, "(Han) mentioned early resignation. It is important that the leader quickly drafts that roadmap," adding, "Naturally, Han should hold the reins. I believe it is right for the leader to take full responsibility for all directions and take immediate action."

On the other hand, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea reacted as if they had been betrayed by a trusted axe. They gathered again in the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly, chosen as the venue for their parliamentary meeting, and began voicing condemnation against Han.

Reflecting the cold weather and national turmoil, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, holding the microphone dressed in a black coat and black tie, fiercely criticized, "Opposing impeachment is an act of siding with rebellion. Isn't it the path to abandoning constitutional order and democracy and heading toward an unconstitutional dictatorship?" He added, "Opposing impeachment is like the path of the Eulsa Five Traitors leading to national ruin."

Regarding President Yoon's address, he commented, "Saying you will not avoid legal and political responsibility but intend to continue your term is an outrageous nonsense." He also clearly stated that if the impeachment motion is rejected in the plenary session that day, they will reintroduce the impeachment motion against President Yoon at the extraordinary session of the National Assembly scheduled for the 11th.

Moreover, within the Democratic Party, there are claims denying President Yoon's statement that "there will be no second martial law." Kim Min-seok, who first raised the martial law theory, argued, "There is still an undisclosed planning team, not a mobilized action unit, and immediate investigation should be conducted regarding this. The military command authority should be stripped to prevent the possibility of martial law during wartime, which is currently being fabricated."

When the lawmakers' speeches subsided, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, led all Democratic lawmakers toward the main gate of the National Assembly to express gratitude to the citizens holding a rally. Then, he walked around the National Assembly fence encouraging the citizens. Many lawmakers shook their fists in unison with the citizens' chants of "Impeach Yoon Suk-yeol" and shouted "Let's impeach."

Yonhap News

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