SEOUL: The Democratic Party (DP) has initiated an outdoor rally in central Seoul aiming to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. This demonstration, which saw participation from most lawmakers of the majority party including its leader Lee Jae-myung, was organized to protest against first lady Kim Keon Hee’s alleged repeated interventions in national affairs.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the rally appears to be a strategic move to pressure the governing People Power Party (PPP) and President Yoon to cooperate with the opposition’s special motion to investigate the first lady’s alleged corruption. The DP’s ultimate goal, however, is to oust the president from power. The party has vowed to continue these rallies to sway public opinion against the presidential couple, with the aim of impeaching the president in the National Assembly, reminiscent of the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye at the end of 2016.
A significant controversy involves a power broker named “Myung Tae-kyun,” who is allegedly connected t
o the president’s suspected election law violations. This scandal has stirred public shock, but the DP’s decision to organize an outdoor rally against the president is seen as crossing a line. Questions arise as to why a majority party would resort to such measures.
The DP is urged to focus on uncovering the truth behind the alleged power abuses rather than inciting public unrest. The allegations concerning the first couple’s involvement in nominations prior to the 2022 by-election remain unverified. The DP is encouraged to establish an effective system to investigate the broker’s alleged schemes.
Amid global uncertainties and economic challenges, the DP is advised to avoid street protests for political gain. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising following North Korea’s troop movements to Russia, and the outcome of the U.S. presidential election on November 5 could necessitate a comprehensive overhaul of South Korea’s foreign policy strategy. Additionally, the government must address the declining com
petitiveness of its chip industry. The majority opposition is cautioned against inciting public unrest solely for political advantage.
The DP is prompted to introspect whether the outdoor rally was intended to influence judicial decisions in two pivotal cases involving Lee’s alleged election law violation and perjury before the 2022 presidential election.
For President Yoon to navigate this crisis, he is urged to apologize for the first lady’s alleged power abuse, suspend her official activities, and implement substantial changes within the presidential office. The prosecution is tasked with thoroughly investigating all suspicions surrounding the power broker, and it is hoped that the presidential office will actively support the probe, which may include examining the presidential couple.