"Minister Who Passed Dismissal Proposal Should Leave"... Foreign Affairs Committee Adjourns After Dispute Over Park Jin's Attendance

Lee Jae-jung "Park Jin Should Leave to Respect the Authority of the National Assembly"
Kim Seok-ki "Opportunity Should Be Given to Explain Diplomatic Tour"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee held a heated debate on the attendance of Foreign Minister Park Jin on the 4th before adjourning. The opposition party demanded his withdrawal, arguing that Minister Park, whose dismissal recommendation passed the plenary session, cannot undergo the government audit. The ruling party countered that Minister Park should be given the opportunity to explain the achievements of President Yoon Seok-yeol’s overseas trips.

On that day, the first government audit of the Foreign Ministry, Korea International Cooperation Agency, Korea Foundation, Overseas Koreans Foundation, and Korea-Africa Foundation under the jurisdiction of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee was adjourned without even starting. The Democratic Party and independent lawmaker Kim Hong-gul demanded Minister Park’s withdrawal.

Lee Jae-jung, the opposition party secretary of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, said, “The Democratic Party accepted the will of the people and passed the dismissal recommendation for Minister Park in the National Assembly,” adding, “In respect of the authority of the National Assembly, parliamentary principles, and the spirit of the Constitution, we demand Minister Park’s withdrawal from the meeting room.” Kim Seok-ki, the ruling party secretary of the committee, countered, “Minister Park, as our top diplomat, must be given the opportunity to explain the foreign policy and the recent diplomatic trips to the people.”

The ruling and opposition parties clashed over Minister Park’s attendance through procedural speeches and other means.

People Power Party lawmaker Tae Young-ho argued, “The government audit is conducted according to the audit plan adopted by bipartisan agreement on the 4th of last month,” and added, “Demanding Minister Park’s withdrawal after overturning the already agreed audit plan is against the rule of law.”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Independent lawmaker Kim Hong-gul said, “This controversy was caused by an amateur president and amateur presidential office aides. The Foreign Ministry might think it has no direct responsibility, but it clearly has responsibility for neglecting the situation, failing to warn despite the risks, and merely watching afterward. Therefore, I think it is proper etiquette for Minister Park to accept the dismissal recommendation and step down or leave this place.” Kim added, “Even after President Yoon’s verbal blunder incident, Minister Park, who served as the overseas press secretary at the Blue House for three years, took no action. He never requested corrections or took measures regarding overseas media reports,” and said, “Korean diplomacy has become a subject of ridicule, and I think it is not right for Minister Park to remain in his position.”

Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho said, “If former President Moon Jae-in had made the same mistake in the same place, would People Power Party lawmakers have overlooked it?” and added, “I propose that the entire Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee demand an apology from the president and proceed with the government audit only after receiving the apology, as a way to uphold the authority of the National Assembly and as a minimum measure.”