14th 'Yoon Impeachment' Sentiment Rises… Kim Sang-wook of People Power Party: "Around 10 in Favor of Impeachment"

'8 Votes from People Power Party' Would Pass Impeachment… "Around 10 in Favor"

If 'No Vote Participation' is Decided as Party Policy, Numbers Could Change

Floor Leader Election on the 12th… Kim Sang-wook: "A Proper Executive Should Come In"

The Democratic Party of Korea and other opposition parties are set to vote on the 'second' impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 14th. Meanwhile, within the People Power Party, more lawmakers are turning in favor of impeachment, increasing the likelihood of the motion passing.

Kim Sang-wook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the 11th and said regarding ruling party lawmakers in favor of impeachment, "It keeps changing dynamically. It fluctuates around 10 people."

The presidential impeachment motion is passed if more than two-thirds of the total lawmakers (300) vote in favor, which is over 200 votes. If all opposition seats are combined, it totals 192 seats, meaning only 8 defecting votes from the People Power Party would pass the impeachment motion. According to Kim's claim, the possibility of President Yoon's impeachment passing in the second vote is very high.

However, if the People Power Party declares 'no vote participation' again as party policy, the situation could change. When asked by the host whether the 'around 10 lawmakers' would cast a favorable vote even if the party decides on no vote participation, or if they would vote favorably if allowed to participate, Kim answered, "Closer to the latter."

Kim predicted that the new floor leader elected on the 12th would play a very important role. He said, "If party members and the public pay more attention and voice for a proper executive to come in, it will naturally influence the floor leader election."

Regarding the 'orderly early resignation' being discussed within the party, Kim criticized, "It's questionable whether the president's powers can be effectively suspended, and it could further increase the instability and damage the country is experiencing."

He emphasized, "The president is in an unstable situation, and in the meantime, you can't strip away legal powers including the command of the armed forces. The only legal way to suspend the president's duties is impeachment. Quickly completing the impeachment process or immediate resignation is more necessary for national stability."

Meanwhile, Kim held a press conference the previous day, stating his position in favor of the 'Yoon impeachment vote' and clearly indicating he would cast a favorable vote in the second vote on the 14th. On the 7th, during the first impeachment vote, he, along with Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Ye-ji, refused the party's 'no vote participation' policy and attended. However, he had said, "I did not agree with the impeachment motion according to the party policy."

Seulkee Lee, Hankyung.com Reporter seulkee@hankyung.com