Opposition Party to Force Vote on 'Lee Sang-min Dismissal Motion' Tomorrow... National Investigation First, Impeachment Later (Summary)

Ruling Party Rejects Dismissal Proposal, Pushes for 'Impeachment After State Audit'
Ruling Party Says "No Justification," Indicates Tough Confrontation

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea has reached a party consensus to process a motion of dismissal against Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min at the plenary session of the National Assembly. However, a proviso was added stating that if the Presidential Office does not take dismissal action even after the motion of dismissal is processed, impeachment proceedings will be carried out following a government audit.

Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, told reporters after the party members' meeting on the 7th, "Regarding Minister Lee, the members agreed to handle it as a motion of dismissal," and added, "We plan to submit the motion of dismissal at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 8th or 9th."

She also revealed plans to gradually push for impeachment if the President exercises a veto or if dismissal action is not taken after the motion of dismissal. A government audit on the 'Itaewon tragedy' was added as a prerequisite. The spokesperson said, "If the government audit is conducted and the President does not take the motion of dismissal seriously and fails to act, we plan to proceed with the impeachment motion."

This decision appears to be aimed at calming internal criticism that the motion of dismissal lacks effectiveness while also narrowing differences between the ruling and opposition parties. Floor leader Park Hong-geun explained, "Members agreed to the original plan of first processing the motion of dismissal, and if dismissal is refused or voluntary resignation does not occur, then proceeding to impeachment."

He added, "However, since the plenary sessions on the 5th and 6th were canceled, the motion of dismissal will be processed at the plenary sessions on the 8th and 9th, and various issues will be raised through the government audit," and continued, "After conducting a thorough government audit, if the minister still refuses to resign or dismissal is rejected, the majority of members judged that proceeding to impeachment would be better."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Some in the political sphere anticipate that if the motion of dismissal passes, President Yoon Seok-yeol may exercise his veto power. Regarding this, Jin Sung-jun, the Democratic Party senior deputy floor leader, told reporters, "The dismissal motion adopts a special majority system," and emphasized, "One-third of all members must propose it, and a majority of all members must approve it. It makes no sense not to accept that."

However, it remains uncertain whether the Speaker of the National Assembly will put the motion of dismissal on the agenda at the plenary session scheduled for the 8th. Previously, on the 2nd, the opposition party had already requested the Speaker to put the motion of dismissal on the plenary session agenda but postponed the session.

Especially since budget negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties are ongoing even into the afternoon of that day, there is a possibility that the motion of dismissal against Minister Lee may not be put on the plenary session agenda. Senior Deputy Floor Leader Jin stated firmly, "Whether it is a motion of dismissal or an impeachment motion, once submitted, it must be reported at the first plenary session and processed within 72 hours," and added, "The Speaker must follow procedures according to the National Assembly Act."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party rebutted the Democratic Party's party consensus decision that day, saying, "It has neither legitimacy nor justification." By ultimately setting phased impeachment promotion as a goal, the opposition party hinted that the ruling party might strongly oppose it by linking it with budget bill processing. Floor spokesperson Jang Dong-hyuk held a press conference at the National Assembly communication office and countered, "We thought the Democratic Party could do it, but we hoped it would not be processed with at least some conscience, but they forced it through," and added, "We will also gather the consensus of other members."