South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DPK) has intensified its offensive against former President Yoon Suk-yeol and the ruling People Power Party (PPP), days after the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon’s impeachment over his alleged role in insurrection.
The DPK is now pushing for Yoon’s re-arrest, calling for the PPP’s dissolution, and moving to revive a series of legislative bills previously vetoed by Yoon, including two controversial special counsel laws. The party, which led the 2016 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye under the banner of “eradicating deep-rooted corruption,” is now calling to “eliminate insurrection,” arguing that officials from Yoon’s administration should be investigated as co-conspirators.
“Yoon’s removal from office is not the end—it’s just the beginning,” DPK Secretary-General Kim Yun-duk told reporters on April 6. “The PPP must immediately expel Yoon, its No. 1 member, and take clear disciplinary action against lawmakers who supported his incitement to insurrection.”
Kim Yong-min, a hardline DPK lawmaker, said in a social media post that “now that Yoon has been removed, the top priority is to completely root out the insurrection,” pledging accountability for those he called co-conspirators.
The DPK also criticized Yoon for meeting PPP leaders and expressing hopes for victory in the next presidential election, despite his removal. “It’s shocking that they (PPP leaders) can talk about winning the presidency as if nothing happened,” said DPK spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae.
Other DPK officials accused Yoon of trying to retain political influence despite being ousted. “Yoon, the ringleader of the insurrection, is once again trying to shake the country from behind the scenes,” said party spokesperson Hwang Jung-a. Senior DPK official Jeon Hyun-heui added, “He’s acting like he’s still the president, giving political instructions in private meetings.”
The party has called for Yoon’s immediate arrest and the questioning of his wife, Kim Keon-hee. “Prosecutors must detain Yoon and summon Kim without delay,” said DPK floor spokesperson Noh Jong-myun. Fellow party spokesperson Kang Yu-jung urged a “swift and thorough” investigation into the couple, now private citizens.
Kim Keon-hee has faced allegations of stock manipulation and bribery in connection with the Deutsch Motors case, as well as accusations over unreported gifts and abuse of power during her husband’s presidency. While no charges have been filed against her, the DPK says prosecutors have dragged their feet on investigations and are demanding renewed scrutiny now that Yoon is no longer in office.
After Yoon issued a message through his legal team vowing to “stay by the people’s side” despite stepping down, DPK lawmaker Park Beom-kye accused him of incitement and said it was “reason enough for re-arrest.”
Some voices within the party are going further, demanding the dissolution of the PPP. The DPK’s national reform council, aligned with party leader Lee Jae-myung, said the ruling party “enabled Yoon’s fascist governance and destruction of constitutional order” and should disband. Veteran DPK lawmaker Jung Chung-rae asked, “Are we just going to watch as the PPP claims innocence and attempts a political comeback?”
The DPK is also seeking to override presidential vetoes on eight bills, including two special counsel bills. One targets allegations against Kim Keon-hee, and the other centers on Myung Tae-kyun, a political broker who allegedly worked with Kim on candidate nominations for the ruling party during the 2022 by-elections and the April general elections. The DPK claims Myung was involved in backroom dealings and illicit influence over the PPP’s nomination process.
Analysts say the DPK’s full-throttle offensive is aimed at boxing in the PPP ahead of an expected early presidential election, and preventing Yoon from playing a role in the race. “The call for Yoon’s re-arrest is about cutting off his political influence completely,” said one political insider.
Still, some in the party have voiced concern about the aggressive tone. “Calls to dissolve the PPP aren’t realistic in a democratic country,” said one senior DPK lawmaker. A member close to party leader Lee Jae-myung added that while hardline rhetoric has grown more frequent, it does not reflect Lee’s personal views or official party policy.end, but the beginning,” DPK Secretary-General Kim Yun-duk told reporters on April 6. “The PPP must immediately expel Yoon, its No. 1 member, and take clear disciplinary action against lawmakers who supported his incitement to insurrection.”
Kim Yong-min, a hardline DPK lawmaker, said in a social media post that “now that Yoon has been removed, the top priority is to completely root out the insurrection,” pledging accountability for those he called co-conspirators.
The DPK has also criticized Yoon for meeting PPP leaders and bidding for the next presidential election victory, despite his ouster. “It’s shocking that they (PPP leaders) can talk about winning the presidency as if nothing happened,” said DPK spokesperson Jo Seoung-lae.
Other DPK officials accused Yoon of trying to wield political influence despite being ousted. “Yoon, the ringleader of the insurrection, is once again trying to shake the country from behind the scenes,” said party spokesperson Hwang Jung-a. Senior DPK official Jeon Hyun-heui added, “He’s acting like he’s still the president, giving political instructions in private meetings.”
The party has called for Yoon’s immediate arrest and the questioning of his wife, Kim Keon-hee. “Prosecutors must detain Yoon and summon Kim without delay,” said DPK floor spokesperson Noh Jong-myun. Fellow party spokesperson Kang Yu-jung urged a “swift and thorough” investigation into the couple, now private citizens.
After Yoon issued a message through his legal team vowing to “stay by the people’s side” despite stepping down, DPK lawmaker Park Beom-kye accused him of incitement and said it was “reason enough for re-arrest.”
Some voices within the party are going further, demanding the dissolution of the PPP. The DPK’s national reform council, aligned with party leader Lee Jae-myung, said the ruling party “enabled Yoon’s fascist governance and destruction of constitutional order” and should disband. Veteran DPK lawmaker Jung Chung-rae asked, “Are we just going to watch as the PPP claims innocence and attempts a political comeback?”
Analysts say the DPK’s full-throttle offensive is aimed at boxing in the PPP ahead of an expected early presidential election, and preventing Yoon from playing a role in the race. “The call for Yoon’s re-arrest is about cutting off his political influence completely,” said one political insider.
The DPK is also seeking to override presidential vetoes on eight bills, including the special counsel laws targeting Yoon and his former aide and proposed amendments to the Commercial Act and Broadcasting Act.
Still, some in the party have voiced concerns about the aggressive tone. “Calls to dissolve the PPP aren’t realistic in a democratic country,” said one senior DPK lawmaker. A member close to party leader Lee Jae-myung said the recent hardline rhetoric does not reflect Lee’s views or official party policy.
