"Our goal is to impeach Park, rather than the motion itself… As the non-Park members of Saenuri wish to continue discussions until next Wednesday, it is unlikely that the motion will be passed [on Friday]," Yong Ho Lee said as quoted by the Yonhap news agency.
The People's Party decision came after a group of lawmakers from the Saenuri Party seeking impeachment of President Park Geun-hye amid the ongoing corruption scandal reportedly backed down after Park expressed willingness to resign if the parliament suggested her convenient power transition procedure.
On October 24, media reported that Choi Soon-sil, a friend and "shadow adviser" of the president, allegedly received drafts of speeches and presidential documents, which could contain confidential information, though she had never held a public post. The revelation caused a massive anti-government protest in the country, with people calling on the president to step down.
Park is also suspected of involvement in raising funds for two nonprofit foundations dedicated to promotion of South Korean culture and sports, while president’s associate Choi is suspected of money misappropriation from these foundations. On November 20, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor's Office filed formal charges against Choi and two of Park's former aides and stated that Park was suspected of being an accomplice in the conspiracy.
