Park Jin on the Passage of the Dismissal Recommendation in the National Assembly: "I Will Do My Best Without Wavering"

Foreign Minister Park Jin is talking with Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop at the National Assembly plenary session held on the 28th. / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Kyung-jo] Foreign Minister Park Jin stated on the 29th, regarding the passage of the dismissal recommendation bill against him in the National Assembly plenary session, "I will do my best to fulfill my duties without wavering."

In a statement distributed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs press corps after the approval of the dismissal recommendation bill, Minister Park said, "Diplomacy is the last line of defense for national interests. Diplomacy must never become a victim of political strife under any circumstances."

He continued, "In the harsh reality of the international situation, there are numerous challenges our diplomacy must resolve," and emphasized, "I will devote myself even more to diplomacy for the national interest and the people."

The Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally passed the dismissal recommendation bill against Minister Park on the afternoon of the same day, citing various controversies arising from President Yoon Seok-yeol's recent visits to the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Of the 170 members present, 168 voted in favor, 1 opposed, and 1 abstained. The People Power Party walked out as a group, leaving only opposition party members to participate.

However, the dismissal recommendation bill passed by the National Assembly has no legal binding force. Earlier that day, when reporters met Minister Park in front of the National Assembly plenary session hall and asked if he had any position on the possibility of the dismissal recommendation bill being submitted to the plenary session, he replied, "I will follow the will of the appointing authority regarding my position."

President Yoon Seok-yeol also expressed his intention to reject the dismissal recommendation bill during a door-stepping (brief press conference) on his way to work that day. President Yoon said, "Minister Park is a person with outstanding ability and is currently running around the world for the national interest to the point that I am worried about his health," adding, "I believe the people will clearly understand what is right and wrong."

Meanwhile, Minister Park is expected to carry out his schedule as planned, including a meeting with the Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors to Korea on the 30th.