The Constitutional Court has decided to remove former President Yoon Suk-yeol, but the hardline stance of the ruling Democratic Party's pro-Lee faction is deepening. They are insisting on stripping the acting president of his appointment powers until a new government is established, and they are making vulgar remarks towards the Speaker of the National Assembly, who proposed a constitutional amendment. There are also discussions about re-impeaching acting President Han Duck-soo. Within the party, there are concerns that this attitude will foster an 'Lee Jae-myung phobia' that could negatively impact moderate voter sentiment.
Democratic Party floor spokesperson Yoon Jong-goo met with reporters after the party's floor countermeasure meeting on the 8th and noted, "It seems that Han Duck-soo is inducing impeachment himself." Impeachment was also mentioned during the leadership meeting. Democratic Party Supreme Council member Song Soon-ho said at the previous day's Supreme Council meeting, "Acting President Han should be judged along with the People Power Party, which incited rebellion." Chief Spokesperson Cho Seung-rae said on SBS Radio, "If we do not appoint a constitutional judge candidate, the (impeachment proposal) remains valid." It is said that the party has already prepared the impeachment motion to introduce it at any time.
In particular, the attack against the non-pro-Lee faction surrounding the constitutional amendment has intensified. It started with Woo Won-sik's proposal for a 'national referendum' on the constitutional amendment. Previously, on the 6th, Speaker Woo suggested, "Let's conduct a national referendum for the constitutional amendment on the same day as the presidential election." This was to promote political reform demands to end extreme oppositional politics to coincide with the early election. Leader Lee Jae-myung had also pledged constitutional amendments during the previous presidential election.
However, four-term veteran lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae publicly criticized Speaker Woo on Facebook, saying, "Stop playing as the Speaker of the National Assembly." On the same day, lawmaker Yang Moon-seok exclaimed, "Please shut your mouth. The constitutional amendment is something you can give to a dog," using vulgar language. Raw expressions also flooded the party bulletin board where strong pro-Le members gathered. Comments included, "Watermelons (a derogatory term for the non-pro-Le faction) should have been smashed," "We need to kick Woo Won-sik out through member voting," and "Anyone talking about constitutional amendments is part of the rebellion forces."
The hardliners are also demanding 'no candidacy for the presidential election' and 'stripping the acting president of appointment powers' against the People Power Party. Floor Leader Park Chan-dae stated at the party's floor countermeasure meeting that day, "The People Power Party has not even disciplined its first party member, Yoon Suk-yeol, the instigator of rebellion, and has no plans to hold an ethics committee meeting until the presidential election," adding, "At this point, it's a confirmed unconstitutional party. I have no idea what kind of shamelessness and qualifications they have to run for the presidential candidate."
At the previous day's Supreme Council meeting, it was also stated, "We must completely freeze appointments of senior officials and public enterprises until the new government is established." On the other hand, the Democratic Party had conducted appointments of high-ranking officials such as the Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission and the Chairman of the Korea Racing Authority at the end of the Moon Jae-in administration. Nevertheless, Floor Leader Park stated that they would investigate the overall appointment process in public institutions under the acting president's regime and seek legal responsibility. Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok also emphasized that it violates the obligation of neutral election management.
While there are internal concerns, there is a tendency within the Democratic Party to discreetly avoid raising such discussions. An anonymous veteran lawmaker from the metropolitan area remarked, "The previously highest authority, Yoon Suk-yeol, has already been impeached. Who will be the target of judgment afterward?" They further noted, "There is certainly an 'Lee Jae-myung phobia' that anticipates having administrative and judicial power with 170 seats in the legislature. If this is overlooked, it will only foster resentment." Another two-term lawmaker from the metropolitan area said, "Whenever the leader has an external meeting, regardless of who stands behind them, they prioritize appearances, putting everything else on hold; this is the current atmosphere in the party."
Park Seong-min, head of Political Consulting Min, stated in a phone call, "The moment Leader Lee received a not guilty verdict in the appeals court, the so-called 'internal competition' effectively disappeared," adding, "What needs to be weakened is not the People Power Party, but the anti-Le sentiment." He also remarked, "With overwhelming seats and administrative power, and appointing two constitutional judges from the presidential quota, judicial power will also encroach," urging that "we must prepare key election strategies to alleviate this phobia."