On March 21, 2025, the Democratic Party of Korea escalated tensions with the ruling People Power Party by filing an impeachment motion against Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is also the Minister of Economy and Finance. This comes on the heels of allegations brought forth by the Democratic Party in a separate incident, where they accused Choi of involvement in bribery and abuse of power during his time as a high-ranking official under the Park Geun-hye administration.
At a press conference held at the Government Complex in Gyeonggi Province, key members of the Democratic Party’s Legal Committee, led by Chairman Lee Yong-woo, detailed their accusations against Choi. They accused him of committing various violations of the law, including specific economic crimes and related offenses. Notably, the party highlighted that Choi had exercised veto power against several important bills including the 'Lee Ran Special Prosecutor Act' and the 'Kim Gun-hee Special Prosecutor Act', which they argue led to ongoing political chaos and paralysis within the administration.
The Democratic Party claims that Choi played a critical role in the infamous Park Geun-hye-Choi Soon-sil scandal during his tenure as the Chief Economic Policy Officer in 2015. They allege that he conspired with Park Geun-hye and Ahn Jong-beom to coerce major corporations into contributing 486 billion won to the Mir Foundation, which emerged out of the corruption scandal. The party called for the Corruption Crime Investigation Office (Gong Soo Cheo) to investigate these allegations thoroughly.
In a firm response, the People Power Party condemned the Democratic Party's actions, asserting that the accusations are essentially a forced indictment against their leader, Lee Jae-myung. legal advisory committee chairman Ju Jin-woo expressed his sentiments during a media briefing, stating, "The investigation into these allegations is a cover for a politically motivated witch hunt, and such tactics are how the opposition seeks to manipulate outcomes of impeachment trials.” Ju further indicated that accusations made by the Democratic Party were a desperate attempt to distract from the impeachment proceedings against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, which are currently ongoing.
The legal committee of the People Power Party also indicated serious concerns over the momentum being gained by the Democratic Party, pointing out that if impeachment motions continue to be filed at high rates, such as this being the 30th impeachment motion since the Yoon Seok-yeol administration started, it jeopardizes governance stability. Ju Jin-woo clarified their intention to file complaints against both Lee Jae-myung and Park Gyun-taek, Chairman of the Democratic Party’s Legal Committee, for their roles in orchestrating these accusations.
Further complicating the political landscape, the effectiveness of the impeachment motion against Choi Sang-mok is clouded by the Constitutional Court's upcoming decision on whether to uphold the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Scheduled for March 24, this decision is likely to significantly influence public perception and the practical implications of Choi’s impeachment.
Toast lightly, Lee Jae-myung showed confidence in the legitimacy of their impeachment motion by stating, "As top executives, we are duty-bound to uphold the constitution, and ignoring rulings from the Constitutional Court undermines the nation's legal order.” However, support within the Democratic Party is not unanimous; concerns voiced during a caucus meeting highlight fears over public fatigue towards continuous impeachment attempts may fracture their voter base, particularly among moderate constituents.
While the strategic decision to advance an impeachment motion against Choi is seen as a means to exert pressure, there are fears that it may ultimately backfire. Some members, including Kim Dong-yeon, the Governor of Gyeonggi, express skepticism over whether pursuing impeachment during this politically unstable period is wise. He remarked about the precariousness of the situation and called into question what light this could shine on the Democratic Party moving forward.
Given that the National Assembly has procedural constraints post-introduction of the impeachment motion, it must be voted on within 72 hours after being presented at the plenary session. This adds an urgent sense of activity to the political atmosphere, complicated further by the fact that the key vote on impeachment may fall just days after the Constitutional Court's ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. A favorable ruling may bolster the legitimacy of the impeachment against Choi, whereas an unfavorable one could lead to severe political consequences.
As the political drama unfolds, Lee's statement regarding the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk—an influential figure nominated as a Constitutional Court justice—serves as a focal point for the accusations. Choi’s alleged failure to move forward with this appointment is seen not only as a direct violation of his duties but also as a strategic decision aimed at undermining the National Assembly's authority.
The political stakes are undeniably high as the Democratic Party navigates through this tumultuous confrontation against the backdrop of past administrations’ controversies. Moreover, both parties are set up for potential legal repercussions as they continue to escalate their ongoing battles over the moral implications of governance, accountability, and political expediency.
While the Democratic Party views their actions as upholding democracy and accountability, the People Power Party frames it as a diversionary tactic designed to hijack the political narrative for their gain. The real question remains unresolved: Can the political climate stabilize as these accusations, counter-accusations, and impeachment motions become points of contention drawing both parties deeper into a conflict that may ultimately confuse voters?
