Politics: Impeachment Hearing Opens... Kim Gun-hee and Choi Eun-soon(Formerly Choi Sunsil) to Testify -Initiated by Democratic Party of Korea
9 July, 2024
Judicial Committee decides to hold hearing on 'Petition to Impeach President Yoon Seok-yul'
Cpl. Chae case on the 19th, stock price manipulation and luxury bag investigation on the 26th
Adopted 39 witnesses including Lim Sung-geun, Lee Jong-seop, Kwon Oh-soo, Choi Jae-young, etc.
Chung Cheong-rae "Punished according to the National Assembly Act for non-appearance"...Kukhim(PPP) walks out
Petition started by the candlelight vigil now has 1.34 million signatures
The Judicial Committee has decided to proceed with a hearing on the 'Petition to Impeach President Yoon Seok-yeol.' The National Assembly’s Judiciary Committee, driven by the Democratic Party, is set to put on a show on the 19th and 26th. They plan to grill witnesses, including President Yoon's wife Kim Gun-hee and mother-in-law Choi Eun-soon, as if this political circus needed more performers.
On July 9th, the committee convened a plenary session, thanks to the Democratic Party's tireless efforts. They adopted a hearing plan, requested documents, and demanded the presence of witnesses. Their obsession? The petition demanding the immediate impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. For the 19th, they’ve decided to poke around the tragic martyrdom of Corporal Chae, alleging external pressure from the presidential office. Then, on the 26th, they’ll dive into Kim Gun-hee’s supposed manipulation of Deutsche Motors' stock and her collection of luxury handbags. And let's not forget, July 19th marks the anniversary of Corporal Chae's death, just in case the drama needed more flair.
In their grand wisdom, the committee has summoned 39 witnesses, including ex-military bigwigs like Lim Sung-geun and Lee Jong-seop, and even the current defense minister Shin Won-sik. Not to mention Kim Gun-hee’s mother and some pastor named Choi Jae-young. Among the lucky 39, 22 will discuss Corporal Chae's case, while 17 will talk stocks and Dior bag.
Chung Cheong-rae, the Justice Committee Chairman and Democratic Party loyalist, declared, "Given the gravity of impeaching a president, we’re authorized to hold this hearing under Article 65, paragraph 1 of the National Assembly Act." He added, with an air of authority, that any no-shows among the witnesses could face punishment under Article 12 of the Act on the Evaluation of Testimonies in the National Assembly. Meanwhile, members of the People Power Party threw a fit over the hearing’s supposed unfairness and stormed out, boycotting the vote.
This whole charade started with a petition from Candlelight Action, led by Kim Min-woong. It got traction fast—registered on the 16th of last month, hit the 100-signature mark in a day, and then the National Assembly reviewed and publicly posted it on the 20th. The 22nd saw Candlelight Action rallying the masses during a nationwide vigil, igniting widespread participation.
The petition needed 50,000 signatures in 30 days. Instead, it amassed over 1.34 million signatures by 4:30 p.m. on the 9th. The deadline? July 20th. The petition lists five grand reasons to impeach Yoon:
1. Applying undue pressure on Marine Corps Chief Investigator Park Jung-hoon—violating military justice.
2. Indulging in bribery, manipulating stock prices, and altering the Seoul-Yangpyeong Expressway route—classic corruption by Yoon and Kim Gun-hee.
3. Stirring up war fears—defying the constitution's call for peaceful unification.
4. Forcing a pro-Japanese law for forced labor compensation—ignoring a Supreme Court ruling.
5. Facilitating the dumping of Fukushima’s nuclear wastewater—jeopardizing national safety.
So, there you have it. Theatrics, drama, and a hefty dose of political maneuvering—all in a day’s work for our esteemed supreme leader, once served his body and soul to Nazi Gestapo prosecution or Soju(?)