The Democratic Party is focusing on the “dual special counsel law” (pertaining to insurrection and First Lady Kim Keon-hee), setting aside impeachment for now despite the exercise of the veto power by Choi Sang-mok, acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance. With the Constitutional Court at full capacity with eight judges, making both the examination and verdict on President Yoon Seok-yeol’s impeachment possible, the party appears to be strategically regrouping to alleviate the political burden of consecutive impeachments. Initially, the Democratic Party plans to concentrate on the re-vote of the special prosecutor bill.
According to political reports, the Democratic Party, despite strongly opposing Acting President Choi’s decision, is refraining from making impeachment remarks, following the strategy taken after Prime Minister Han Deok-soo. The party acknowledges the presidential actions as grounds for impeachment but emphasizes patience due to the emergency situation.
The Democratic Party intends to maintain political pressure by asserting the grounds for impeachment but wants to avoid criticism that could arise from a series of impeachments, which could be portrayed as the majority party exploiting the political situation. Thus, they are focusing on the re-vote of the dual special counsel law, expecting potential additional defections from the ruling party, as there were during the previous vote on the special prosecutor bill involving First Lady Kim. They plan to reintroduce the bill if it is rejected again.
Park Seong-joon, the chief deputy floor leader, mentioned that if the bill is rejected again, they will propose it once more, following the stance of the party leadership that additional defections are possible based on previous experiences. The Democratic Party is optimistic about leveraging this situation for potential internal divisions within the ruling party.
The Democratic Party is also wary of suggestions from some quarters of the ruling party to discuss modifications to the special prosecutor law, viewing this as a delaying tactic. However, there are strategic considerations as well, acknowledging past perceptions that the ruling party had blocked the special prosecution by calling for modifications. Given the internal party momentum for introducing the special prosecution regarding the First Lady, completely dismissing these suggestions might not be feasible.
Some in the opposition suggest that if the ruling party proposes a separate special prosecutor bill with modifications, it could be negotiated through Speaker Woo Won-shik, potentially leading to a final compromise. There is a belief that maintaining a cycle of “reintroduction, veto, consecutive impeachments, re-vote, and reintroduction” would minimize political fatigue, encourage ruling party division, and maintain the political initiative until a possible early presidential election, should President Yoon Seok-yeol be impeached.