Five Yeo Progressive Members Say "Will Consider Yoon Impeachment Vote Comprehensively"

Five moderate members of the People Power Party (PPP) ? Kim Jaeseop, Kim Sangwook, Kim Sohee, Kim Yeji, and Woo Jaejun ? have yet to decide their stance on the impeachment vote against President Yoon Seok-yeol scheduled for the 7th. Although the PPP has decided as a party to reject the impeachment, their position suggests they might still cast affirmative votes depending on the circumstances.

Yonhap News

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After concluding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 5th, PPP lawmaker Kim Jaeseop told reporters regarding the impeachment vote, "Nothing has been decided yet. I will make a judgment after comprehensive consideration."

When asked whether he would follow the party line if the PPP decided to boycott the plenary session during the impeachment vote, Kim responded, "We are individual constitutional institutions and must consider the party line, but I cannot answer based on hypothetical situations," drawing a clear boundary.

At an earlier press conference, the five moderate lawmakers stated, "President Yoon has lost both authority and trust from the people due to the recent emergency martial law declaration," demanding a sincere apology from the president and a swift investigation and punishment of those responsible. They also proposed a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term.

When asked if the proposed constitutional amendment to shorten the term would include shortening President Yoon’s current term, Kim Jaeseop explained, "Of course, that content is included." In response to criticism that the amendment would not apply to the incumbent president, he said, "We will conduct thorough legal reviews, but the constitutional amendment to shorten the term must be discussed and is necessary."

Lawmaker Woo also told reporters that the term-shortening amendment implies a four-year single term system. When asked if sincere measures including the amendment would make impeachment unnecessary, he replied, "I think that could be possible."

Regarding questions about calls for the resignation of the party’s floor leadership, Kim Sangwook said, "I think it is something that needs to be considered." This appears to be in response to criticism that the floor leadership, led by Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho, did not participate in the vote to lift martial law and caused confusion among lawmakers with multiple changed notification messages when President Yoon declared martial law.

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