The leadership said, “We can’t just trust the Yongsan explanation.”
Chin Yoon “The status of the elected candidate does not violate the election law”
Hong Joon-pyo criticizes “déjà vu on the eve of impeachment”
As a transcript containing the circumstances surrounding President Yoon Seok-yeol’s intervention in the People Power Party’s by-election nomination as the elected president the day before the inauguration ceremony in May 2022 was made public on the 31st, the ruling party is paying close attention to how far the scandal will spread. The pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction defended President Yoon, saying, “Because he was an elected official and not a public official subject to the Public Official Election Act, it is not grounds for impeachment.” It has been reported that some ruling party lawmakers with legal backgrounds who are members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly also decided that “simply presenting opinions does not violate the election law.” On the other hand, Representative Han Dong-hoon did not make a statement on this day, and the party leadership remained silent, saying, “We will respond based on the situation.” Rep. Gyeong-tae Cho of the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction said, “We need to start an audit of party affairs.”
Rep. Kwon Seong-dong, pro-Yoon Gye-in, met with reporters after a meeting of senior lawmakers held at the National Assembly on this day and was asked, “The Democratic Party of Korea claims that this is grounds for impeachment.” He answered, “The grounds for impeachment are serious acts that violate the Constitution and laws while performing duties after becoming president.” “If there is,” he answered. At the same time, he said, “The reason the party asked for my opinion was because I was able to express my political opinion as the president-elect, who is the party’s ‘number one member.’” He added, “Under the Public Official Election Act, it is a ‘crime of election involvement’ and a ‘crime of election interference’. “What you are claiming is a claim that goes too far,” he countered. One member of the judiciary, Yoon Gye-in, said, “Even if he spoke as the president, it is a simple expression of opinion and there is no penalty in the election law.”
On the other hand, a key member of the leadership said, “We cannot just rely on Yongsan’s explanation and defend ourselves right now,” and added, “Earlier, a representative suggested behind the scenes that we would respond if we informed the President’s office of the full story regarding Myung Tae-gyun’s issue, but nothing came back.” . At a closed strategy meeting on this day, it was reported that the opinion was expressed that “the key is whether or not to record the information after inauguration.” A ruling party official said, “The push for a special inspector general proposed by Representative Han has also lost momentum.”
Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo said publicly on this day, “It’s like seeing déjà vu on the eve of impeachment.” He added, “An election broker who doesn’t want to be arrested and speaks up as he pleases is shaking up the country, and the opposition party is obsessed with attacking the president, and the ruling party is opposing it. “They are invisible and are only focused on the internal power struggle.”
Reporter Choi Hye-ryeong [email protected]
Reporter Jo Kwon-hyung [email protected]
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The recent controversy surrounding President Yoon Seok-yeol’s alleged intervention in the People Power Party’s by-election nomination is intensifying as new transcripts emerge. The leadership of the ruling party is grappling with the implications and potential fallout from these revelations, which date back to before President Yoon’s inauguration in May 2022.
On the same day that the transcripts were made public, pro-Yoon faction members sought to defend the President by arguing that, as an elected official, he is not subject to the Public Official Election Act and thus cannot be impeached. Legal experts within the party echoed this sentiment, claiming that his actions did not constitute a violation of election laws.
In contrast, members of the opposition, particularly from the Democratic Party of Korea, insist that these actions are grounds for impeachment, which has sparked a heated debate within the party. Representative Kwon Seong-dong emphasized that impeachment is reserved for serious constitutional violations and asserted that expressing political opinions does not fall under that umbrella.
Meanwhile, internal party dynamics are complicated, as some members suggest an audit of party affairs in light of the situation. Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo remarked on the developments, comparing the current situation to past political crises, indicating a sense of déjà vu as tensions rise both within the party and between the ruling and opposition groups.
As the situation unfolds, party leadership remains cautious, prioritizing a measured response while acknowledging the risks posed by the ongoing scandal. The call for clarity and accountability within the party is growing louder, with some suggesting that reliance on Yongsan’s explanation may not suffice for effective damage control.