Reconsidering Impeachment

[Anchor Lead]

The leadership of the ruling Saenuri Party responded by saying that the president's address was tantamount to an announcement of her resignation and that the impeachment process must be re-considered from scratch. Here’s more.

[Pkg]

The leadership of the Saenuri Party asserts that President Park has virtually announced her resignation and that the impeachment issue must be re-considered from scratch.

[Soundbite] Chung Jin-seok(Floor Leader, Saenuri Party) : "Now that the circumstances have changed,we must discuss the impeachment process with the two opposition parties from scratch."

The Saenuri Party stressed that it will discuss with the opposition parties the establishment of a nonpartisan cabinet and negotiate a constitutional amendment in order to stabilize state affairs.

[Soundbite] Rep. Seo Cheong-won(Saenuri Party) : "So far, more than 200 lawmakers have called for constitutional amendment.We will discuss this too. If we set the time frame as soon as possible, won't the president resign anytime?"

Meanwhile, the non-mainstream members of the ruling party pointed out that Park's address lacked sincerity and that impeachment was inevitable.

[Soundbite] Rep. Yoo Seung-min(Saenuri Party) : "She just passed the ball to the parliament and didn't clarify when she would resign. Such a statement lacks sincerity in the eyes of the public."

The non-mainstream members urged the ruling and opposition camps to hold negotiations, and promised to start the impeachment process if the parties fail to reach a consensus by December 9th.