Ruling Party Infighting

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The Saenuri Party is facing an internal conflict over the resignation of party leadership and impeachment on President Park Geun-hye. Intense disputes may arise at the ruling party's general meeting of its lawmakers held on Friday. Here is more.

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At a general meeting held at the request of non-mainstream lawmakers of the Saenuri Party today, opposing factions are expected to face off over the resignation of the party's pro-Park Geun-hye leadership and the formation of an emergency body. It is highly likely that the encounter could turn bitter, as the non-mainstream faction plans to decide on its stance on impeachment before the general meeting. Previously, non-mainstream representative Kim Sung-tae expressed confidence in the move to impeach, noting that more than 40 Saenuri lawmakers signed in support of the impeachment in a single day. The non-mainstream faction repeatedly stressed the justification of the impeachment, saying that the party can start over only when it demonstrates a responsible stance to the public.

[Soundbite] Rep. Yoo Seung-min(Saenuri Party) : "It is a dereliction of duty for lawmakers if the National Assembly does not impeach the president."

However, the pro-Park mainstream leadership demanded that former head Kim Moo-sung and other members leading the impeachment movement leave the party, calling them traitors. Meanwhile, Saenuri floor leader Chung Jin-suk said that he will accept an impeachment motion that is in accordance with constitutional procedures. However, he is also engaged in a war of nerves against the opposition's emphasis on the impeachment bill, saying that the passage of a 2017 budget proposal, collection of the president's testimony and discussions on a constitutional amendment should come first.