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With the scandal tied to President Park Geun-hye sending the nation into a state of turmoil, opposition parties have rolled out a series of proposed measures ranging from the conservative leader’s impeachment to an independent counsel investigation.
For these measures to clear the legislative hurdle, the opposition bloc, despite controlling a majority of the single-chamber parliament, must steal votes from the conservative ruling Saenuri Party. Under normal circumstances this would be almost impossible to achieve, however the growing dissent within Saenuri may make it possible.
According to the Constitution, an impeachment motion requires approval by two-thirds of the 300-member National Assembly. The same quorum is needed to override a potential presidential veto against the bill aiming to investigate Park.
The opposition parties and liberal-minded independents alike hold a total of 171 seats, 29 short of pushing such proposals. If at least some 30 Saenuri members cast votes across the aisle, the motion could gain the 200 quorum.
For these measures to clear the legislative hurdle, the opposition bloc, despite controlling a majority of the single-chamber parliament, must steal votes from the conservative ruling Saenuri Party. Under normal circumstances this would be almost impossible to achieve, however the growing dissent within Saenuri may make it possible.
According to the Constitution, an impeachment motion requires approval by two-thirds of the 300-member National Assembly. The same quorum is needed to override a potential presidential veto against the bill aiming to investigate Park.
The opposition parties and liberal-minded independents alike hold a total of 171 seats, 29 short of pushing such proposals. If at least some 30 Saenuri members cast votes across the aisle, the motion could gain the 200 quorum.
However, it is not clear yet whether the dissenting members -- whose number some analysts said could constitute as much as half of 129 Saenuri members -- will join any opposition-led measure against the president.
“(Impeaching an incumbent president) brings a shock to the nation. It is an unfortunate event not only for the nation but for the people,” said former Saenuri leader Rep. Kim Moo-sung, who leads a rival group to the party’s mainstream, pro-Park faction.
But Kim added that the president had “violated” Constitutional values by letting her confidante, who has never held a government position, meddle in state affairs, noting that such behavior could make a case for impeachment.
So far, the dissenters’ call appears to be part of an attempt to overhaul the embattled party. They have demanded the Saenuri leadership, which is dominated by the pro-Park faction, to resign and urged the president to leave the party.
“I think we have to choose other options if the leadership refuses to resign,” said Rep. Choung Byoung-gug, hinting at the possibility of joining the opposition-led measures. Chung is a fifth-term Saenuri lawmaker and one of the most outspoken dissenters.
By Yeo Jun-suk (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)
“(Impeaching an incumbent president) brings a shock to the nation. It is an unfortunate event not only for the nation but for the people,” said former Saenuri leader Rep. Kim Moo-sung, who leads a rival group to the party’s mainstream, pro-Park faction.
But Kim added that the president had “violated” Constitutional values by letting her confidante, who has never held a government position, meddle in state affairs, noting that such behavior could make a case for impeachment.
So far, the dissenters’ call appears to be part of an attempt to overhaul the embattled party. They have demanded the Saenuri leadership, which is dominated by the pro-Park faction, to resign and urged the president to leave the party.
“I think we have to choose other options if the leadership refuses to resign,” said Rep. Choung Byoung-gug, hinting at the possibility of joining the opposition-led measures. Chung is a fifth-term Saenuri lawmaker and one of the most outspoken dissenters.
By Yeo Jun-suk (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)
