Ruling Party Counters with 'Kim Jin-pyo Resignation' After Park Jin Dismissal Passed... Yoon Likely to Exercise Veto

Foreign Minister Park Jin attended the plenary session for the negotiation group representatives' speech held at the National Assembly on the 29th and is seen talking with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to deepen as the opposition passed a motion to dismiss Foreign Minister Park Jin without consulting the ruling party. The People Power Party has already expressed its intention to recommend the resignation of National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo. President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to exercise his veto power, but it is likely to entail political burdens.

On the 29th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly, "We plan to submit a recommendation for the resignation of the National Assembly Speaker by tomorrow morning."

Floor leader Joo said, "The Democratic Party of Korea verbally talks about 'national interest,' but in reality, it seems they want President Yoon and the government to fail regardless of the national interest of the Republic of Korea. They should be helping and supporting, but instead, they are picking faults, expanding them, and practically seem to have the intention of rejecting the presidential election results."

He also mentioned the visit schedule of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris that day, saying, "I think the people will gradually realize how unhelpful and dangerous it is for the Democratic Party to be allowed 169 seats in the National Assembly."

On the other hand, Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "The negative evaluation rate related to the president's overseas trip was confirmed to be around 70% in two opinion polls, and it is wrong to let this pass without any issue. I understand that the Speaker will forward the motion to dismiss to the government, and once forwarded, the final decision rests with the president, who holds the personnel authority."

Regarding the ruling party's recommendation for Speaker Kim's resignation, he said, "'The one who farts gets angry; slapped in Jongno and vents anger in Hangang'?it's exactly that kind of situation. The president and government are trying to fix their mistakes, but since they can't, they are struggling."

As the opposition virtually passed the motion to dismiss Minister Park alone, the confrontation between the two parties over the 'president's vulgar language controversy' is expected to intensify further. The proposal by Jeong Jin-seok, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, during the morning negotiation group representative speech to cooperate through a senior bipartisan consultative body suggested by Speaker Kim also lost its impact.

President Yoon has already indicated he will exercise his veto power. Earlier that day, on his way to the Yongsan Presidential Office, he said, "(Minister Park) is a person with outstanding ability. He travels tirelessly around the world for the national interest to the point that his health is a concern," adding, "The public will clearly know what is right and wrong."

Minister Park, immediately after the motion passed, stated in a press release, "Diplomacy is the last line of defense for national interest. Under no circumstances should it become a victim of political strife. Amid the severe realities of the international situation, there are many tasks our diplomacy must solve. I will do my best without wavering in my duties. I will devote myself even more to diplomacy for the national interest for the people."