'Cho Kyung-tae Opposes Impeachment, Decides to Follow Han Dong-hoon's Will'

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

Cho Kyung-tae, a lawmaker of the People Power Party, reversed his stance on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, stating it was because he decided to follow the will of Representative Han Dong-hoon.
Cho emphasized the importance of drafting a roadmap for the president's early resignation and term reduction, stating that Representative Han should take action on this.
Regarding the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, he sees a high possibility of it passing regardless of opinions within the party, which is important from an investment perspective.

"It's Right for the Representative to Take Action"

*Korean Economic Daily/Reporter Kim Byung-eon*

Cho Kyung-tae, a six-term lawmaker of the People Power Party, who had publicly supported the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, reversed his stance on the 7th, stating, "I have decided to follow the will of Representative Han Dong-hoon."

On this day, when asked by reporters at the National Assembly whether he had indeed reversed his stance to support the impeachment motion, Cho answered as such. Earlier, the Korean Economic Daily reported that Cho had changed his stance during a closed-door party meeting.

When asked if he believed President Yoon's term should end, he said, "It is important to quickly draft a roadmap for early resignation," adding, "(President Yoon) said in his apology that he would take legal responsibility for the investigative parts when looking at the overall context."

Cho further added, "Regarding the direction of (term reduction), I believe it is right for Representative Han to be entrusted and take immediate action."

When asked if the president's withdrawal from the party was unnecessary, he replied, "No, it's a separate issue," adding, "I still think the president's expulsion is a live issue."

Regarding the vote on the 'Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Act,' he said, "There are opinions within the party, but I think it will probably pass. Personally, I see a very high possibility of it passing."

Previously, Cho had publicly expressed his support for President Yoon's impeachment, being the first among ruling party lawmakers, during a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly the previous day.

Cho stated, "The act of declaring martial law itself was unconstitutional and illegal," and "The president's duties should be suspended quickly."

He emphasized, "Politicians must decide whether to stand with the people through the suspension of the president's duties or become collaborators of the forces that declared martial law," adding, "I hope all politicians of the People Power Party stand with the people."

Hong Min-seong, Korean Economic Daily reporter mshong@hankyung.com