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Yoon wants to fight impeachment, not resign: sources
Protesters hold a funeral performance in front of the ruling People Power Party's (PPP) headquarters in Seoul, Wednesday, condemning PPP lawmakers for not participating in the National Assembly's presidential impeachment vote last Saturday. Yonhap
By Jun Ji-hye
President apparently aims for chance of reversal at Constitutional Court’s trial
President Yoon Suk Yeol would choose to face impeachment proceedings rather than voluntarily leave the position, as he was booked as a suspect on treason charges and barred from traveling overseas following his abrupt declaration of emergency martial law on Dec. 3, according to ruling party lawmakers and media reports on Wednesday.
The decision goes against the ruling People Power Party’s (PPP) calls for his early resignation.
This is apparently intended to actively fight impeachment at the Constitutional Court based on expectations that the court, where three of the nine justices are vacant, will likely dismiss the impeachment motion.
The Constitutional Court Act stipulates that at least six justices must agree to make a ruling on impeachment, meaning that all six must unanimously agree.
The PPP’s task force, dedicated to stabilizing the ongoing impeachment crisis, held a meeting on Tuesday and proposed Yoon’s early resignation in February or March. But no conclusion was reached.
The presidential office, in response, informed the ruling party that Yoon is determined to face impeachment proceedings rather than resign and will fight the case in court, according to the country’s conservative daily Chosun Ilbo.
Kim Jong-hyuk, a member of the PPP's Supreme Council, confirmed Yoon's stance in an SBS radio interview, citing his presidential office sources.
“Although no official statement has been made, according to my contacts from the presidential office, it seems that Yoon thinks, ‘There will be no resignation under any circumstances. I will not voluntarily step down,’” Kim said.
President Yoon Suk Yeol delivers a speech, televised live, at the presidential office in Seoul, Saturday. Courtesy of presidential office
Yoon said in a public address on Saturday that he would leave the management of the future political situation, including his term, to the PPP.
The ruling party’s suggestion is his early resignation, but according to the latest reports, Yoon’s current stance is to advocate for the legality of the martial law case in court.
Regarding this, Kim noted it seems that Yoon may be aiming for a chance of reversal, as stepping down would eliminate all opportunities for survival.
“With only six justices currently on the bench, if even one of them disagrees (with the rest), the impeachment will be dismissed. It seems that these factors are being taken into account in his calculations,” Kim said.
Kim added that the president seems unable to accurately assess the political situation due to his strong supporters and other factors.
If Yoon formalizes his stance of choosing impeachment over resignation, it is expected to impact the National Assembly’s second impeachment vote, expected to take place this Saturday.
In the first vote on Saturday, Yoon survived as the ruling party boycotted the vote to deny a two-thirds majority.
But now, multiple lawmakers from the PPP are expressing their intention to participate in the second vote.
A two-thirds majority needs support from at least eight lawmakers of the PPP.