AsiaToday reporter Han Dae-eui

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday criticized the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) for launching outdoor protests and overnight sit-ins, calling them "civil war forces" and urging an immediate halt to actions that incite political confrontation. The DP had announced the previous day that they would hold outdoor protests and overnight sit-ins in Gwanghwamun to pressure the Constitutional Court during President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial.

Kwon Seong-dong, the PPP floor leader, criticized the DP's plan for a tent sit-in in Gwanghwamun, stating that the main opposition party is attempting to push the country into a "psychological civil war" and now an "actual civil war." He accused the DP of inciting national chaos and labeled Lee Jae-myung's faction as "civil war forces" that drives the country into confusion.

The PPP leadership pointed out that the DP is pushing for the impeachment of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, who decided not to appeal the Seoul Central District Court's decision to cancel President Yoon's detention. They argued that this move is to avoid affecting Lee Jae-myung's eight cases, 12 charges, and five trials. They emphasized that the country is at a crossroads between civil war and stability and urged Lee's faction to return to a path that benefits the people. "We, as the responsible ruling party, must calmly and orderly counter the 'Lee Jae-myung civil war forces' attempts to incite civil war and cause social chaos. Stability is the most important thing,” the ruling party said. After the general meeting held at the National Assembly, Kwon told reporters, "Various opinions were expressed on how to respond to the DP’s neglect of the National Assembly's primary duties of livelihood and economy, and their focus solely on outdoor political struggles. We decided not to engage in actions like outdoor protests or hunger strikes to pressure the Constitutional Court, as the DP does." This is interpreted as a move to prepare for national stability and to manage chaos before and after the Constitutional Court's ruling.

Meanwhile, the DP announced plans for daily general meetings at 10 am and 2 pm, daily rallies in Gwanghwamun at 6 pm, daily general meetings at 10 pm, overnight sit-ins in the Rotunda Hall until midnight, and committee-based sit-ins until 6 am. DP lawmakers also held a head-shaving ceremony at the National Assembly to demand President Yoon's impeachment. In response, PPP spokesperson Cho Yong-sul criticized the DP's actions as dangerous attempts to create a de facto civil war in South Korea.