First Hearing in Impeachment Trial of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min over the 'Itaewon Disaster'

Minister Lee "Deep Condolences to Those Injured and Emotionally Hurt"
Kim Do-eup "Will Participate in Prosecution Procedures as They Progress"

The first hearing for the impeachment trial of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min regarding the Itaewon disaster response was held on the 9th.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is attending the first hearing of the impeachment trial held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Jin-hyung Kang aymsdream@

On that day, the Constitutional Court held the first hearing of the impeachment trial case against Minister Lee in the Grand Bench courtroom of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Both Minister Lee, the respondent in the impeachment trial, and Kim Do-eup, the petitioner and chairman of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, were present at the hearing.

Upon appearing at the Constitutional Court, Minister Lee stated, "I extend my deepest condolences to those who were injured and to the citizens who have suffered emotional wounds. I am deeply sorry that this impeachment accusation against me has caused some confusion and disruption in state affairs and has caused concern among the public. I will sincerely participate in today's hearing to promptly resolve the gaps and disruptions in state affairs and to ensure that everything proceeds smoothly."

Chairman Kim said, "We will proceed with the impeachment process as the procedure advances. I believe the Constitutional Court would also consider it undesirable to prolong the vacancy of the Minister of the Interior and Safety. We anticipate a focused hearing, but we have no choice but to abide by the decision of the Constitutional Court."

The National Assembly cited as grounds for Minister Lee's impeachment violations of Article 34, Paragraph 6 of the Constitution (the state's obligation for disaster prevention and protection of citizens), Article 10, and the Basic Act on Disaster and Safety Management (Articles 4 Paragraph 1, 22, 23, 25-2, 34-8, etc.) regarding the obligation to take prior disaster prevention measures, as well as violations of Article 56 of the State Public Officials Act concerning the duty of sincerity.