Rep. Kim Sang-wook of the People Power Party. Newsis
The Party Leadership Remains Silent
Kim Sang-wook’s Remark: “Will Fast in Case of Impeachment Dismissal”
Voices called for actions such as disciplinary measures against Rep. Kim Sang-wook, who expressed support for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol in a group Telegram chat room of People Power Party members.
Rep. Kang Min-guk reportedly asked Rep. Kim to clarify his stance on comments aligning with the Democratic Party of Korea and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions during a chatroom session that included all 180 members from the party. This was in response to Kim’s prior statement on a CBS radio interview declaring he would engage in a hunger strike if the impeachment against President Yoon was dismissed.
Rep. Kang further addressed Kwon Young-se, the chair of the Emergency Response Committee, and Lee Yang-soo, the Secretary-General, stating, “This is too serious an issue to dismiss as a statement by just one member,” urging a response from the leadership.
Following Rep. Kang’s point, Rep. Cho Bae-sook remarked, “As a member of the National Assembly affiliated with a public party, it seems like you have crossed the Rubicon,” demanding a decision at the party level, while Rep. Kang Seung-gyu wrote that disciplinary action is necessary.
Subsequently, Rep. Kim posted a lengthy message in the same chatroom, stating, “My strong stance on the president’s impeachment is paradoxically because I am a conservative,” arguing that “martial law (is) an intolerable act for a conservative who aims to uphold the constitutional order.”
Rep. Kim countered by saying, “I don’t think my words and actions go against the party’s interests.”
The leadership has not responded to this in the chatroom thus far. It seems they are wary of internal conflicts escalating with the impending ruling on President Yoon’s impeachment trial.
The previous day, when asked by reporters about Rep. Kim’s remarks, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, replied, “I’ve given up too. I have no interest in that friend.”