"The Suspension Target Is the Democratic Party, Not Lee Sang-min"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for leading the passage of the impeachment motion against Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min in the National Assembly plenary session, saying, "The Democratic Party has written a dark chapter in constitutional history by using the constitutional institution of 'impeachment' as a shield."
On the 8th, Kwon said through his social media service (SNS), "The forced acting minister due to political reasons will rather cause disruption to the administrative and safety duties of the ministry."
On the same day, the Democratic Party and the three opposition parties passed the impeachment motion against Minister Lee, holding him accountable for the inadequate response to the Itaewon disaster. This is the first time in 75 years of constitutional history that an impeachment motion has been filed against a cabinet member. Following the passage of the motion, Minister Lee's duties are suspended.
Kwon pointed out that "According to the Constitution, impeachment can only be carried out when a public official 'violates the Constitution or laws in the execution of duties.' The investigation headquarters has already issued a non-prosecution disposition, and no clear illegal acts were found in the National Assembly investigation led by the Democratic Party," adding, "Even in the Democratic Party's impeachment motion, no specific grounds for impeachment can be found," highlighting the lack of concrete evidence for the impeachment motion.
He continued, "If, by any chance, an unfortunate accident occurs under these circumstances, who will the Democratic Party hold responsible?" and criticized, "From immediately after the Halloween crowd crush accident, the Democratic Party tried to turn national grief into partisan anger. How clear is this politicization of tragedy?"
Kwon pointed out that the Democratic Party's impeachment attempt is mainly to shield Lee Jae-myung, the party leader. He said, "The impeachment against Minister Lee is a case of attacking the east to protect the west to cover up the leader's corruption," adding, "Today, the Democratic Party consumed a tragic accident and the authority of the National Assembly as fuel for the political survival of just one person, the leader. Therefore, the one whose duties should be suspended is not Minister Lee but the Democratic Party itself."
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