Lee Jae-myung: "Yoon, trying to cover up crimes with vile lies... Impeachment is the only way"

Special statement a day before the second impeachment vote

"People Power Party members, please join the vote in favor"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-youl in a special statement on the 13th, a day before the second plenary session vote, stating that "impeachment is the fastest and most certain way to end the chaos."

Lee stated at the National Assembly, "Yesterday, President Yoon Seok-youl declared a 'declaration of war' against the people in a frenzy. He tried to cover up crimes with vile lies. He self-certified that he is incapable of performing his duties and should not perform them," adding, "The people's command is consistent and clear. 'Traitor of the nation' Yoon Seok-youl must step down immediately."

Lee addressed the members of the People Power Party, saying, "What you must protect is not Yoon Seok-youl or the People Power Party. It is the lives of the people crying out in the cold streets," and added, "Yesterday's declaration of war confirmed it. Impeachment is the fastest and most certain way to end the chaos. Please join the vote in favor of impeachment tomorrow. History will remember your choice."

Lee stated, "On December 14, 2024, we will once again declare that the people are the masters of the country. Our people will write a new chapter in history," and added, "A single misjudgment left a historical stain. However, we have proven to the world that we can correct it with the people's right judgment, and we will prove it once again."

The National Assembly will hold a plenary session this afternoon to report on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon. The impeachment motion is scheduled to be voted on at 5 p.m. on the 14th. The first impeachment motion, submitted on the 7th, was discarded as 'vote not established' because 105 out of 108 People Power Party members abstained from voting. The presidential impeachment motion requires the approval of more than half of the total members of the National Assembly and two-thirds (200 out of 300 members) to pass.

However, since more than 10 People Power Party members have expressed their intention to participate in the impeachment vote after the first vote, it is expected that the possibility of the vote not being established due to a lack of quorum is low this time. Additionally, with members Cho Kyung-tae, Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Sang-wook, Kim Ye-ji, Kim Jae-seop, Jin Jong-oh, and Han Ji-ah expressing their intention to vote in favor, if just one more ruling party member joins, the motion could pass.

Hong Min-seong, Hankyung.com reporter mshong@hankyung.com