[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea has demanded the resignation of Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, from his position as a member of the National Assembly. This is to hold him accountable for his remark that "even the sitting president might become a subject of pardon."
Shin Young-dae, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, stated in a written briefing on the afternoon of the 20th, "Joo Ho-young, the floor leader who is addicted to reckless political remarks that undermine trust in politics, should resign immediately."
This goes a step further than the apology demanded earlier that morning by Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party. Shin said, "Joo Ho-young is showing no remorse, responding to criticism of his reckless remarks with sophistry, claiming he was talking about 'the way of the world.' He persistently acts shamelessly, asking 'Why should I apologize?' thereby lowering the public's trust in the political sphere himself."
He continued, "Joo Ho-young has continuously degraded the dignity of our politics by insulting the late President Roh Moo-hyun with the vulgar play 'Reincarnation Economy' and provoking public outrage by calling the Sewol ferry disaster a 'traffic accident.' In a radio interview last December, he used the expression 'lame prime minister,' for which the National Human Rights Commission recommended measures to prevent recurrence and the implementation of disability rights education."
He characterized the remarks as a prelude to political retaliation. Shin said, "In Joo Ho-young’s statements, which foreshadow political retaliation intoxicated by temporary approval ratings, one can see a low-level political philosophy and arrogance. He is turning the long-standing political task of national unity into third-rate retaliatory politics. Reckless political remarks addicted to conflict must now be expelled."
He emphasized, "Joo Ho-young should apologize to the public and take responsibility for his remarks by resigning from his position as a member of the National Assembly."
Earlier, Floor Leader Kim also criticized, saying, "No matter how much I think about it, his remarks crossed political ethics and propriety. He said things that should never have been said. It is very regrettable that the leader of the main opposition party did not hesitate to make such a cursed remark treating the sitting president as a criminal. Ultimately, it is a statement that insults the sovereign people."
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