An image shows a People Power Party lawmaker exchanging KakaoTalk messages with their child. Courtesy of Newspim.
By KTimes
While a growing number of People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers are considering supporting or participating in the vote on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment motion, one lawmaker was spotted receiving a message from his child urging a vote for impeachment.
Newsfim, an online news media outlet, reported Wednesday about an unidentified PPP lawmaker who was exchanging KakaoTalk messages with his child.
The child wrote, “Dad, please make a politically strategic judgment. It will all be over after tomorrow,” and added, “There will be at least 10 defections this weekend for the motion to pass.”
The message further emphasized urgency, saying, “Journalists have individually contacted everyone, and more than 10 have expressed support. Today is the last chance.”
In response, the lawmaker replied, “Can’t you let Dad decide how to leave the stage after a lifetime in politics? I’m deeply pondering this now. I hope you’ll allow me some time to think.”
The lawmaker is one of the ruling party members who have yet to explicitly declare support or intentions to participate in the impeachment vote.
As of Thursday, at least 11 PPP lawmakers said they willl participate in the vote.
Five lawmakers — Cho Kyung-tae, Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Yea-ji, Kim Sang-wook and Kim Jae-seop — publicly stated they would vote in favor, and Bae Hyun-jin indicated her intention to join the vote. Separately, Kim So-hee, Park Jeong-hun, Yoo Yong-weon and Jin Jong-oh were willing to participate.
People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon announces his support for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment during a general assembly to elect the party’s floor leader at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap
On Thursday morning, Jin signaled publicly that he would vote in favor, increasing the number of declared supporters within the party to six.
The number of PPP lawmakers expected to vote on the impeachment is likely to grow sharply as party leader Han Dong-hoon on Thursday expressed support for a parliamentary vote to impeach Yoon over his failed attempt to impose martial law.
The opposition Democratic Party of Korea plans to present Yoon’s second impeachment motion during the National Assembly plenary session at 2 p.m. on Thursday and hold the vote at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
For the motion to pass, at least two-thirds of lawmakers (200 out of 300) must approve it. This requires at least eight PPP members to join the opposition bloc’s 192 seats.
During the first vote, the count fell short of a quorum as only three ruling party members and 192 opposition members participated, leading to the motion’s failure.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.
