Member of Yoon’s party pledges to vote to impeach unless removal plan is presented

SEOUL – Mr Kim Sang-wook of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said on Dec 8 that he will vote in favour of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment unless a clear roadmap for his removal from office is presented.

He was

one of three PPP lawmakers who cast a ballot

during the botched vote on Dec 7 on the opposition-led motion to initiate Mr Yoon’s impeachment over his imposition of martial law on Dec 3.

After the vote, which put him in the media spotlight, Mr Kim revealed that he voted against the motion, in line with the stance of his party rather than his personal judgment.

In an interview with SBS TV on Dec 8, however, the politician said if there was another vote, he will act based on his own judgment.

“As a member of the National Assembly, the duty to uphold the Constitution and safeguard the nation should come before party interests,” he said.

“Conservatives dislike and fear (opposition leader) Lee Jae-myung’s policies. If that’s the case, we must win the presidential election, and to win, conservatives must more courageously pursue their values and correct their mistakes,” he added, in an apparent criticism of the party’s decision to keep Mr Yoon in office to avoid strengthening the liberal opposition’s chances of gaining power.

Six opposition parties, led by the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, plan to

hold a re-vote on Mr Yoon’s impeachment on Dec 14

. Their first effort on Dec 7 was thwarted by the ruling party’s boycott.

Two-thirds support in the 300-member National Assembly is required to impeach a president. Together, the opposition parties control 192 votes, eight votes shy of a quorum.

The two others from the ruling party who defied their party’s boycott and participated in the vote on Dec 7 are Mr Ahn Cheol-soo and Ms Kim Yea-ji. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK