[Editorial] Impeachment Crisis, No Excuse for Breaking Promises

It is regrettable that the Uri Party withdrew its earlier pledge on Monday that all of its lawmakers would quit their National Assembly seats in protest of the passage of the impeachment motion against President Roh Moo-hyun. Although the lawmakers expressed their profound regret for deserting their earlier promise, it will be difficult for them to escape from accusations that they have abandoned the faith of the public for the sake of their vested rights. If the party lawmakers step down, each of its party candidates will receive a randomly picked number instead of unified No. 3 and the party will also have to give up some five billion won in subsidies from the government.

However, regardless of the excuses it may have, the Uri Party will not be able to avoid criticism that it has become insolent after receiving increased support from the public due to the backlash from the impeachment bid. I’d like to ask whether they believe the Uri Party has right to throw away pledges it has made to the people like a pair of old shoes, and what is their definition of “old politics” that they have been so strongly opposed to since the establishment of the party. I wonder whether keeping promises, even if self-sacrifices may require, should be classified as old politics or new politics.

Although 10 days have passed since the passage of the impeachment motion, the public still vividly remembers the daring actions of the Uri Party lawmakers. They sang the national anthem while shedding tears, and they unanimously agreed to tender their resignations. In fact, quite a considerable number of people became furious on how the opposition parties had handled the impeachment motion by the determined faces of the Uri Party lawmakers.

However, the lawmakers have turned their letters of resignations into scraps of paper. Their decision to withdraw their decision to quit is no different than that of some lawmakers of the opposition parties who now belatedly suggest withdrawing the impeachment bill due to its backlash.

Pledges publicly made to the people are not light promises that should be turned upside down due to changing circumstances unlike your palms. The Uri Party should bear it in mind that public support towards it can also be overturned at anytime.