Lee Sang-min Impeachment Countdown... Opposition "People's Judgment" vs Ruling Party "Majority Party Rampage"

All Democratic Party Members Agree to Prioritize 'Sangmin Lee Impeachment' on the 8th
"No Reflection on Itaewon Disaster, Punishment Instead of the People"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] On the 8th, the ruling and opposition parties exchanged sharp exchanges ahead of the plenary vote on the impeachment motion against Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. The Democratic Party of Korea countered with a condemnation rally, claiming that the ruling party's procedure was to disperse the judicial risk of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said to reporters immediately after the party meeting held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, "If the impeachment motion passes, we will hold a condemnation rally." Floor leader Joo emphasized that Minister Lee is not included in the impeachment target. He explained, "A constitutional scholar said the probability of impeachment is zero because impeachment applies only when there is a violation of the Constitution and laws in the execution of duties," adding, "The Constitutional Court has already clarified in several impeachment cases under what conditions impeachment applies, and Minister Lee does not fall under any of those."

He continued, "They say it is the department in charge of overall safety, but the Democratic Party's intention to make the head unable to work is to divert public attention from the judicial processing of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung," and criticized, "What else could it be other than to deal a blow to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration?"

Then, Floor leader Joo said, "If the duty is suspended, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety will not function properly," and added, "Creating a vacancy for a short period of three to four months or an uncertain longer time contradicts what the Democratic Party previously said."

Earlier, Floor leader Joo pointed out at the People Power Party meeting, "The Democratic Party repeats reckless behavior endlessly because it has an uncontrollable number of seats."

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized legitimacy on the same day, saying, "It is a stern warning and the people's judgment against state power that irresponsibly threw away constitutional values."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the party meeting held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, Floor leader Park said, "Protecting the lives and safety of the people is the state's duty, a constitutional value engraved in the people's tears through the Sewol ferry disaster and the sacrifice of children years ago," and added, "Whenever there was a major disaster in the past, whether under progressive or conservative governments, the minister in charge resigned or was dismissed by the president, which is common sense." He criticized, "However, the Yoon Seok-yeol administration is the only one that refuses to take any responsibility and holds out to the end."

Floor leader Park said, "The Democratic Party, together with other opposition parties, initiated the impeachment of Minister Lee not as a political choice or trick to damage the Yoon administration," and stated, "We have the duty to strictly hold accountable the Yoon administration and Minister Lee who showed no reflection and took no responsibility in front of the Itaewon tragedy where 159 precious lives were lost, on behalf of the people."

He pointed out that there are already sufficient reasons for Minister Lee's impeachment and that President Yoon also bears responsibility for the background that led to the impeachment motion against a cabinet member being brought to the plenary session.

He criticized, "They did not fulfill the constitutional provisions to prevent disasters and protect the people from risks, nor the numerous obligations stipulated by related laws," and added, "Repeated secondary victimizing remarks and false testimonies during the state audit are serious violations of dignity as a high-ranking public official." He continued, "The Itaewon tragedy is an indelible deep wound of Korea caused by Minister Lee's incompetence and irresponsibility," and fiercely condemned, "Minister Lee's impeachment motion was ultimately brought about by President Yoon who consistently avoided responsibility."

He added, "Nevertheless, there are reports that President Yoon foresees Minister Lee's suspension and is preparing to appoint a powerful vice minister," and criticized, "The ruling party is already focused on calculating election votes, blaming the Democratic Party if the impeachment motion is dismissed. This is a shameless administration that failed to protect 159 noble and precious lives and only engages in scheming and plotting."

Even if the impeachment motion against Minister Lee passes in this National Assembly plenary session, there are still processes to go through the Constitutional Court. Floor leader Park said, "We must overcome three walls: the plenary session, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee as the impeachment motion proposer, and the Constitutional Court's acceptance," and emphasized, "Each wall is very high and solid, but I believe the power to overcome these three walls lies in human conscience, the common sense of the people, and national responsibility. The Democratic Party will responsibly carry out what the people demand without fear."