Parliamentary committee to hold hearing to address petition on Yoon's impeachment

Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party hold up their hands asking to speak during a meeting of the legislation and judiciary committee at the National Assembly in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, July 9. Yonhap

A parliamentary committee on Tuesday decided to hold two hearings to deal with an online petition demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

During a plenary meeting, the legislation and judiciary committee adopted the plan to hold a hearing on July 26 and requested that first lady Kim Keon Hee attend as a witness.

The petition 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 in July 2023.

The petition, first posted online on June 20, also points out allegations that the first lady illegally received a luxury bag as a gift in 2022.

More than 1.3 million people had signed the petition as of Tuesday.

During the meeting, the legislation committee, where the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea holds a majority, approved of the decision to hold a hearing on Chae's case on July 19.

Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party walked out of the room in boycott of the vote.

By law, a petition approved by more than 50,000 people within 30 days is referred to a parliamentary subcommittee that reviews petitions, and can be submitted to a plenary session for a vote.

The impeachment motion requires a two-thirds majority to pass the parliament. (Yonhap)