Democratic Party to Propose Motion to Dismiss Lee Sang-min... Vote Scheduled for the 2nd of Next Month

"Yoon Waited for Lee Sang-min's Dismissal but Received No Response"
Additional Review of Impeachment Proposal Planned

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 28th that it will propose a motion to dismiss Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, holding him accountable for the 'Itaewon tragedy.'

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said to reporters after a high-level strategy meeting chaired by Lee Jae-myung, the party leader, “We earnestly requested the President to responsibly dismiss Minister Lee by today and waited until the deadline, but ultimately received no response,” adding, “Therefore, the Democratic Party has decided to propose a motion to dismiss Minister Lee.” The party also plans to further consider an impeachment motion.

Park explained, “In accordance with the wishes of the public and the bereaved families demanding strict political and moral accountability from the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, we have waited and waited for Minister Lee to resign voluntarily or for President Yoon to dismiss him, but there has been silence even as nearly a month has passed since the tragedy occurred,” and added, “We have now judged that it is time to make an official request through the constitutional duty of the National Assembly by proposing a motion to dismiss.”

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min attended the plenary meeting of the Public Administration and Security Committee held at the National Assembly on the 17th, and is wearing a mask after finishing his speech. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The Democratic Party has begun the practical work to propose the motion to dismiss and plans to go through the consent procedure of lawmakers at a party meeting on the 29th, followed by the proposal on the 30th. The motion to dismiss will be automatically reported to the plenary session on the 1st of next month. The Democratic Party intends to hold a vote on the motion at the plenary session scheduled for the 2nd.

According to Article 63 of the Constitution, a motion to dismiss a member of the State Council requires the proposal of at least one-third (100 members) of the total members of the National Assembly and approval by a majority (150 members).