Ruling and opposition parties in intense standoff... Opposition: "'Lee Sang-min dismissal motion' plan for plenary session remains valid"

With "Impeachment Means Difficult Budget Compromise"
Opposition Plans Final Discussion on 6th-7th

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea has reiterated its stance to process the 'Motion to Dismiss Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min' at the National Assembly plenary session.

The Democratic Party's floor leadership issued a statement on the 4th, saying, "Our position on the disciplinary measures against Minister Lee remains the same," and added, "The plan to process the submitted dismissal motion at the plenary session is still valid."

This was in response to People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young's appearance on KBS's 'Sunday Diagnosis Live' earlier that day, where he stated, "(The Democratic Party) will likely submit an impeachment motion against Minister Lee Sang-min before the 8th or 9th, making it difficult to reach a budget compromise."

He forecasted the possibility of budget approval during the regular session, saying, "The Democratic Party is trying to forcibly pass several bills such as the Yellow Envelope Act and the Broadcasting Act, and by creating an unexpected variable with the dismissal motion, it will not be easy to process the budget on the 8th or 9th. If such variables are mixed in, the likelihood of a deadlock is very high."

In response, the Democratic Party stated, "Before the plenary session on the 8th (on the 6th or 7th), we will discuss and decide on the final disciplinary measures against Minister Lee through leadership meetings and a party caucus," adding, "Although there are various possibilities, no discussions on this have taken place as of today."