As the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol approaches, the ruling party's internal hardliners opposing impeachment are gaining strength. The party leadership did not distance itself from the call for 'disciplinary action' against members who spoke against dismissing the impeachment. Ruling party lawmakers are showing a willingness to rally in the final moments by attending off-site protests.
On the 14th, the leadership of the People Power Party did not deny that disciplinary procedures against lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong would be initiated. In a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly, floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said, "Since the (disciplinary action against lawmakers) is a party matter, I am not in a position to state our position," but added, "I believe that the Ethics Committee will decide on the initiation of disciplinary action based on its independent judgment."
Earlier, some members of the ruling party reportedly demanded the party leadership clarify their stance and consider disciplinary actions regarding Kweon Seong-dong's remarks made the previous day (13th) in a group chat of lawmakers. These remarks pointed out the unconstitutionality of the state of emergency during a radio interview on the 12th, emphasizing that a decision to affirm impeachment was inevitable. Kweon Seong-dong stated, "If, by any chance, the impeachment is dismissed, I will undertake a hunger strike in the National Assembly until I die. That is the level of my determination."
In response, lawmaker Kang Min-guk stated, "This is too significant an issue to dismiss as just the remarks of a single member," and demanded an official statement from the leadership. Lawmaker Cho Bae-sook also expressed, "As a member of a political party, it seems we have crossed a river that can no longer be crossed," calling for a party-level decision, and lawmaker Kang Seung-kyu demanded, "Disciplinary action is necessary."
According to ruling party sources, the party has reportedly initiated discussions on disciplinary actions against Kweon Seong-dong. Considering concerns that this may be perceived as an internal conflict, it is anticipated that the initiation of disciplinary actions will occur after the ruling on President Yoon's impeachment. In particular, the hardline approach advocating for 'the dismissal and rejection of impeachment' has gained further strength within the party following Yoon Suk-yeol's release.
On the same day, during an appearance on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus', Kweon Seong-dong remarked, "Even right after the declaration of the state of emergency, many were contemplating, 'This is wrong. Isn't impeachment something that has to happen?' However, as time passes, it has turned into a factional struggle, creating an atmosphere where those individuals cannot voice their opinions and find it challenging to express their thoughts. The internal climate is leaning towards a more hardline stance."
On the 12th, the People Power Party began a relay protest in front of the Constitutional Court, with five members, starting with lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun and Kang Seung-kyu, calling for the dismissal and rejection of President Yoon's impeachment for the fourth consecutive day. Lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun and Cho Bae-sook also performed a 'walking performance to call for the dismissal of impeachment' near the Constitutional Court on that day.
Lawmaker Yoon stated to reporters, "I will continue to walk, embodying the people's desire that only the dismissal of impeachment can save South Korea." Some members of the ruling party, including Na Kyung-won, plan to attend an anti-impeachment rally scheduled for the 15th in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province.