Park Chan-dae Calls for Expulsion of 45 Lawmakers for Supporting Former President Yoon

On July 25, 2025, Park Chan-dae, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea (더불어민주당), held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication hall in Yeouido, Seoul. He announced a resolution to expel 45 lawmakers from the People Power Party (국민의힘) for their role as 'human shields' during the insurrection incident involving former President Yoon Suk-yeol.

During the conference, Park stated, "By expelling these 45 lawmakers, they will officially be recorded as 'insurrection accomplices' in the National Assembly." This statement follows an incident in January when the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials attempted to execute an arrest warrant for then-President Yoon, prompting over 40 members of the People Power Party to gather in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong to prevent the arrest.

Park emphasized, "The failure to execute the arrest warrant was due to these 45 lawmakers surrounding Yoon's residence, acting as 'human shields.' They turned their backs on the law and public authority, focusing solely on Yoon's face, making them clear accomplices in the insurrection."

He further criticized these lawmakers for continuing to sit in the National Assembly, receiving salaries funded by taxpayers while obstructing the government led by Lee Jae-myung (이재명) and hindering reforms.

"We cannot allow those who have undermined the Constitution and denied the legitimate authority of a democratic government to remain unaccountable," Park declared. "If the National Assembly grants them immunity, we are sowing the seeds for another insurrection. We will hold these insurrection accomplices accountable. The 45 human shields of Yoon Suk-yeol will be brought down by the Democratic Party."

On July 8, Park also proposed a special law aimed at blocking government subsidies to parties that produce insurrectionists.

In response, Choi Soo-jin (최수진), the spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented that Park seems to be making a last-ditch effort to secure a strong image after failing to gain support from the party's youth faction. Choi criticized Park's approach, stating that pushing for expulsion based on political stance or party line actions restricts lawmakers' freedom and undermines the principles of parliamentary democracy.

Expulsion of lawmakers requires a two-thirds majority vote (200 members) in the National Assembly.

The list of People Power Party lawmakers targeted for expulsion includes: Kang Dae-sik (강대식), Kang Myung-gu (강명구), Kang Min-guk (강민국), Kang Sun-young (강선영), Kang Seung-kyu (강승규), Koo Ja-geun (구자근), Kwon Young-jin (권영진), Kim Ki-hyun (김기현), Kim Min-jeon (김민전), Kim Seok-ki (김석기), Kim Sun-kyo (김선교), Kim Seung-soo (김승수), Kim Wi-sang (김위상), Kim Eun-hye (김은혜), Kim Jang-gyeom (김장겸), Kim Jeong-jae (김정재), Kim Jong-yang (김종양), Na Kyung-won (나경원), Park Dae-chul (박대출), Park Seong-min (박성민), Park Seong-hoon (박성훈), Park Jun-tae (박준태), Park Chung-gwon (박충권), Seo Il-jun (서일준), Seo Cheon-ho (서천호), Song Eon-seok (송언석), Eom Tae-young (엄태영), Yoo Sang-bum (유상범), Yoon Sang-hyun (윤상현), Lee Dal-hee (이달희), Lee Sang-hwi (이상휘), Lee Man-hee (이만희), Lee In-sun (이인선), Lee Jong-wook (이종욱), Lee Cheol-kyu (이철규), Lim Yi-ja (임이자), Lim Jong-deok (임종득), Jang Dong-hyuk (장동혁), Jo Bae-sook (조배숙), Jo Eun-hee (조은희), Jo Ji-yeon (조지연), Jeong Dong-man (정동만), Jeong Jeom-sik (정점식), Choi Soo-jin (최수진), and Choi Eun-seok (최은석).