PPP criticizes DPK's push to hold hearing on Yoon's impeachment
Floor Leader of the ruling People Power Party Choo Kyung-ho, center, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, July 10. Yonhap
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Wednesday denounced the opposition's push to hold a hearing to address an online petition demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
On Wednesday, the legislation and judiciary committee adopted a plan to hold the hearing on July 26 and requested that first lady Kim Keon Hee attend as a witness. PPP lawmakers walked out of the meeting in boycott of the vote.
The petition, first posted online on June 20, calls on the National Assembly to propose a bill to impeach Yoon, citing allegations that the presidential office inappropriately interfered in the military's investigation into the death of Cpl. Chae Su-geun, who was killed during a search mission for victims of heavy downpours last year.
The petition also points out allegations that the first lady illegally received a luxury bag as a gift in 2022.
During a press conference at the National Assembly, PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho called the decision to hold the hearing "invalid."
"Impeachment is a tragedy. The past two attempts to impeach our presidents have left our people with pain and conflict that cannot be washed away," he said. "As lawmakers, we must approach the impeachment of the president with the utmost seriousness."
He added that the first lady and her mother, who was also chosen as a witness, have no obligation to appear at the hearing.
Choo warned that the PPP will take strong action against the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), including filing charges for false accusation, if it attempts to "intimidate the witnesses" for not attending the hearing.
He also criticized the DPK for hastily pushing to hold the hearing just a day after Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, mentioned the petition in a statement, and accused the DPK of acting on Kim's orders. (Yonhap)