One Week Since the 'Emergency Martial Law Incident'... Is the Once Impenetrable Ruling Party Starting to Split?

It has been a week since the declaration of martial law, but the political sphere has yet to find a solution. The People Power Party, which holds the key to the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, has not presented a roadmap for an 'orderly early resignation.' Amid this, as defections emerge from the ruling party, the political situation is gradually tilting toward impeachment of President Yoon amid divisions within the ruling camp.

On the 10th, the People Power Party continued its caucus meetings to seek ways to manage the political situation. However, with the floor leader position vacant, it is facing difficulties in setting the direction for future responses. Kim Sang-hoon, chairman of the party's Policy Committee, who has already expressed his intention to step down from his party position, said on YTN Radio regarding the impeachment motion against President Yoon scheduled for the 14th, "Currently, the party line is almost decided to oppose impeachment," adding, "It has not yet been decided whether to cast a dissenting vote inside the plenary hall on the day of the vote or to leave the hall after the motion is submitted." He said that the outcome of the People Power Party floor leader election scheduled for the 12th will clarify the situation. A ruling party lawmaker also said, "We have to hold on for six months." They believe that the presidential election or any other election should be held after seeing the verdict on the Public Official Election Act trial of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

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However, additional voices supporting impeachment have emerged. Kim Sang-wook, a People Power Party lawmaker, said at a press conference that day, "I urge the president to apologize and resign immediately," and "I demand sincere acknowledgment of wrongdoing and cooperation for the president's impeachment from our ruling party as well." Kim stated, "Based on the conservative value judgment criteria of constitutional order and the spirit of defending liberal democracy, and with a deeply apologetic heart, I support the second impeachment vote against the president who planned the unconstitutional and anti-democratic martial law." If the president does not step down, he intends to vote in favor of the impeachment motion at the plenary session on the 14th. Kim said, "There are lawmakers discussing this together," and "When the time comes, we will unite." However, he also said, "It is difficult to assert the exact number, but it is sufficient for the passage of the impeachment motion."

Jo Kyung-tae, a People Power Party lawmaker who had wavered between supporting and opposing impeachment, also said, "The president must resign immediately before the second impeachment vote," adding, "Resignation faster than impeachment is the only way to minimize harm to the people and the economy." Meanwhile, the People Power Party is moving to quickly finalize a plan for an 'orderly early resignation.'

Internal divisions caused by the issue of electing the floor leader, considered a turning point, are also accelerating. Senior lawmakers of the People Power Party are creating an atmosphere to endorse Kwon Seong-dong as the next floor leader. However, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, said, "This cannot be decided at the senior lawmakers' meeting," and "It is inappropriate."

The opposition is gradually increasing its leadership. On this day, while processing a request for a permanent special prosecutor investigation into the 'martial law incident,' they also agreed to finalize the budget bill.

Lee Jae-myung said, "We all must do our best to resolve uncertainty. The budget is directly linked to the lives of the people," adding, "Swift passage of the budget bill will help alleviate the current anxiety and crisis, even if only a little." The Democratic Party also plans to pursue additional supplementary budgets early next year. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "If there are areas where increased funding is needed for people's livelihood and economic recovery, it can be addressed later through supplementary budgets or other means."

Cho Seung-rae, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "Although the ruling party appears to be extremely united on the surface, internal fractures are severe," and "It will soon explode and break apart." Regarding the impeachment vote, he said, "I expect more lawmakers will decide according to their conscience and beliefs," adding, "Individual lawmakers are conducting related dialogues."

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