Kim Moon-su: "Constitutional Court Must Reach Fair Verdict on Yoon's Impeachment... Protect Liberal Democracy"

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Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, stated on the 19th regarding the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol, "I pray that the process and conclusion will be conducted more fairly and in a way that the public can accept."

After attending a labor reform discussion hosted by Na Kyung-won and Woo Jae-joon of the People Power Party at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, Minister Kim met with reporters and said, "I hope the Constitutional Court will uphold the great constitutional spirit of the Republic of Korea and protect liberal democracy."

Regarding the divided public opinion on the impeachment of President Yoon, with some supporting and others opposing it, he mentioned, "There are many citizens who have concerns about the appointment process of the Constitutional Court justices and the trial procedures, while on the other hand, some want the court to speed up and deliver a verdict quickly."

Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo is attending the '2030 and Older Generations Both Win-Win Labor Reform Grand Debate' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 19th. 2025.2.19 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

In response to a reporter's question asking if he thinks there is controversy over the fairness of the Constitutional Court's trial procedures, Minister Kim criticized the court by comparing it to the 2017 decision to remove former President Park Geun-hye. He said, "I wonder if our Constitutional Court now thinks that impeaching a president is an easy matter," and added, "I saw that the court unanimously decided to remove the president during the impeachment trial of former President Park, and I really thought that was wrong."

He implied that since the direct presidential election system began through the 1987 democratization movement, it is an excessive authority for the Constitutional Court to decide to remove a president who was chosen by all citizens through voting.

He particularly criticized, saying, "Was that really the right judgment? Did former President Park commit any major wrongdoing?" and "The Constitutional Court takes the people's love and loyalty for a president elected by direct vote too lightly." He added, "I'm not talking about supporting or opposing impeachment, but I sincerely pray that the court develops into one that anyone can accept in their heart, regardless of which side they are on."

Regarding the fact that Minister Kim is currently ranked first in the conservative support ratings for the next presidential candidate in various opinion polls, he responded, "Even though I have never announced any policies or expressed any intentions, the fact that I am ranked first seems to reflect concerns and worries that our society is becoming too one-sided, which could make the Republic of Korea very unhappy. It is very heavy and painful for me."

Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, and other attendees are taking a commemorative photo at the "2030 and Middle-aged Win-Win Labor Reform Grand Debate" held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 19th. 2025.2.19 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

When asked whether he is considering running for the next presidential election if the impeachment trial result of President Yoon comes out, and about the criticism that he has little centrist appeal, Minister Kim said, "I have nothing to say about that," but added, "I started by assisting with sewing at the very bottom of Cheonggyecheon in Korea. I was imprisoned twice during the democratization process, served three terms as a member of the National Assembly in Bucheon Sosa, which is considered the most difficult district, and served twice as Governor of Gyeonggi Province." This was a direct rebuttal to the political criticism about his lack of centrist appeal.

He continued, "In many ways, I have risen from the very bottom of society to positions that others desire, but I have never forgotten that caring for the weak as a life mission and doing everything for them is the first duty of a public official."

Regarding former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who has hinted at a political comeback and is considered a competitor for the next presidential race, Minister Kim said, "Han also has many admirable qualities. Isn't it true that any Korean citizen can run for president?" He added, "Except for those like Lee Jun-seok of the Reform New Party who are disqualified due to age, any candidate can run for president of the Republic of Korea."

On the remarks by Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party and a potential presidential rival, who said "The Democratic Party is actually centrist conservative," Minister Kim said, "Whatever others say, that is not something I will discuss," but criticized, "I believe only sincere people can hold public office," and "If public officials are not clean, the whole country becomes dirty."

Regarding allegations of early voting fraud raised by some, he said, "Some have raised issues such as 'Is there a problem in the process of early voting conducted outside the constituency being brought here (to the electoral district)?' and 'Is there any fraud during the five-day storage period after early voting outside the constituency?' Some early voting boxes do not have closed-circuit television (CCTV) at the storage locations. These are legitimate questions," and asserted, "The Central Election Commission has the administrative responsibility to determine whether there was election fraud."

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