Ruling and Opposition Parties Engage in Pro-Impeachment Public Opinion Battle Ahead of Constitutional Court Decision... Focused on Street Protests

On the 12th, ahead of the decision on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, both ruling and opposition parties took to the streets, focusing on the public opinion battle over impeachment support and opposition.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is showing support and strengthening his resolve for former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo, who began a hunger strike on the 12th at the Democratic Party's protest tent in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, demanding the dismissal of President Yoon Seok-yeol. From left: former Democratic Party lawmaker Park Yong-jin, former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Lee Jae-myung, former Governor Kim Kyung-soo, and former National Assembly Secretary-General Lee Kwang-jae. 2025.3.12 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

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Sixty-two members of the People Power Party held a 24-hour relay protest in front of the Constitutional Court, urging the dismissal or rejection of President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial. More than half of the party's 108 lawmakers individually decided to join the street protests.

Initially, about five lawmakers planned to take turns holding one- or two-person protests each day, but as more lawmakers expressed willingness to join the relay protest, from the 14th onward, protests with five participants each day are scheduled.

Democratic Party lawmakers also designated the day as 'Constitution Protection Day' and conducted a 'Yoon Seok-yeol Dismissal Urging March on Foot,' walking from the National Assembly to the tent protest site set up in Gwanghwamun. It was reported that more than 200 people, including party lawmakers, party officials, and aides, participated in the march.

On the 14th, there is also consideration of holding an on-site Supreme Council meeting at the tent protest site in Gwanghwamun. On the same day afternoon, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, held a 'National Crisis Overcoming Forum' in Gwanghwamun with former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo and former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum.

Mutual accusations between the ruling and opposition parties also took place over the impeachment public opinion battle. Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly, "The place where the opposition party should work is the National Assembly," and criticized, "Focusing solely on street political struggles for the power acquisition of Lee Jae-myung's faction through an early presidential election is a betrayal of the people."

Kwon Seong-dong, Floor Leader of the People Power Party (center) Photo by Yonhap News

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At the national crisis forum, Lee Jae-myung criticized the People Power Party, saying, "Why are you doing politics at all?" and "Is it understandable that you are defending a certain minority who have committed crimes of insurrection and military rebellion while showing insane behavior?"

Despite the day being the first when a 25% tariff on steel, aluminum, and derivatives imported into the United States began under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, it was difficult to find meetings of relevant standing committees or countermeasure meetings involving leaders of both parties.

Of course, the leadership of both parties made remarks pointing out the seriousness of the tariff crisis, but these were limited to criticizing the other side amid the 'impeachment political turmoil' rather than mentioning concrete measures.

Kim Dae-sik, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party floor, said in a statement, "President Trump is intensifying global trade pressure, but South Korea is showing limitations in diplomatic response amid a presidential vacancy," adding, "Han Duck-soo, who served as ambassador to the U.S. and chief trade negotiator, is a key figure to play an important role in this crisis."

Hong Sung-guk, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "The U.S. 25% tariff on steel and aluminum will begin at 1 p.m. today," and added, "The only solution to revive the collapsed economy, create jobs, and regain lost hope is the dismissal of Yoon Seok-yeol."

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