Democratic Party "Considering Filing Charges Against Prime Minister Han Deok-su for Abuse of Power Over Pressure on Hong Jang-pyo's Resignation"

"The fact that the de facto personnel authority publicly exerted pressure is clear"

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and delivering a speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party has announced legal action in response to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo mentioning the position of Hong Jang-pyo, President of the Korea Development Institute (KDI).

On the 7th, Oh Young-hwan, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, met with reporters after a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly and stated, "Prime Minister Han publicly pressured Hong Jang-pyo to resign, saying he does not align with our government and should be replaced." He criticized, "The Prime Minister is the de facto personnel authority, and his narrow-minded public demand for resignation is a serious abuse of power." He added, "This situation itself is subject to investigation," and said, "The Democratic Party is preparing for legal action."

In a phone interview with Asia Economy, Representative Oh said, "The possibility of filing a complaint against Prime Minister Han for abuse of power is becoming realistic," adding, "Although legal review is necessary, it is clear that the actual personnel authority publicly applied pressure." He criticized, "Is this something that can happen in a rule-of-law society? Political remarks are problematic, but after investigating a blacklist and calling it a huge corruption, for the personnel authority of this government to act like this, does this make any sense?"