Jin Jeong-seok: "Opposition, Self-Contradictory... Are They Trying to Avoid Judicial Risks?"

Met with reporters on the morning of the 30th and revealed this
"Even the Democratic Party cannot provide a proper explanation"

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok is answering reporters' questions on his way to the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Kwon Hyunji] Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for 'self-contradiction.' This was a critique regarding the Democratic Party's recommendation to dismiss Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min ahead of the 'Itaewon tragedy' state audit.

On the morning of the 30th, Chairman Jeong met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "The state audit is about to begin, and the audit plan explicitly lists Minister Lee as a subject of investigation. Calling in the minister who is the subject of the investigation and dismissing him before the audit even starts is self-contradictory."

He continued, "The Democratic Party is also unable to provide a proper explanation," adding, "We agreed to the state audit on the condition that we would discuss it after reviewing the police investigation results, but we generously accepted the Democratic Party's strong demands, didn't we?"

Chairman Jeong viewed the Democratic Party's behavior as an attempt to 'avoid judicial risk.' He emphasized, "The most important budget review is nearing its final stage, and I hope they focus on budget approval. We accepted the state audit so that the budget could be passed, didn't we?" He added, "This can only be interpreted as trying to turn the National Assembly into a battleground of political strife to avoid their party's judicial risks."

Regarding a question about 'reorganizing party chapters related to the next party convention,' Chairman Jeong responded, "Once the budget session ends, we need to start preparing for the party convention." He added, "In that regard, I have suggested to the emergency committee members that since the budget session is wrapping up, we should have a discussion about preparing for the party convention."

He also explained, "The timing of the party convention or any rule amendments are unrelated to my personal opinion. These matters require collective consensus, and if rule amendments are necessary, they involve changes to the party constitution, which require extensive discussion and consideration."