"Prosecutors Cover Up Even Serious Misconduct Within Their Ranks"
"Impeachment of Cabinet Member Prosecutor with Clear Criminal Evidence Is Justified"
The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 9th to propose an impeachment motion against Lee Dong-gwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, Son Joon-sung, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Daegu High Prosecutors' Office, and Lee Jung-seop, Second Deputy Chief Prosecutor of Suwon District Prosecutors' Office.
Yoon Young-duk, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after a party meeting held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, "As a result of the meeting, the party adopted the impeachment motion against three individuals: Lee Dong-gwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission; the criminal prosecutor Son Joon-sung; and the criminal prosecutor Lee Jung-seop, as the party's official stance." The Democratic Party plans to have the impeachment motion submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly following the party meeting.
The Democratic Party has indicated the possibility of impeachment, alleging that Chairman Lee forcibly intervened in the dismissal process of the Broadcasting Culture Promotion Foundation chairman, who is the major shareholder of KBS and MBC, after his appointment. Additionally, Prosecutor Son Joon-sung is criticized for the 'accusation-for-hire' suspicion, and Prosecutor Lee Jung-seop is held responsible for allegations of leaking official secrets and violating the Anti-Graft Act.
Spokesperson Yoon said, "There was no dissent regarding the proposal of the impeachment motion," adding, "Impeachment is a power granted to the National Assembly by the Constitution, and there is a clear duty and obligation to hold the subjects accountable. It is necessary to show that wrongdoing will inevitably be punished or disciplined." He continued, "Even when prosecutors have illegal criminal charges or serious misconduct, it is common for them to avoid proper discipline or punishment by protecting their own. Since investigations do not proceed properly even when accusations are made, the majority opinion was that the National Assembly should impeach government officials or prosecutors who are clearly involved in illegal crimes or serious misconduct."
Initially, prosecutors Lim Hong-seok and Lee Hee-dong were also included as targets for impeachment, but after internal review, they were withdrawn.
Spokesperson Yoon stated, "Impeachment will be pursued against senior prosecutors, and other prosecutors who were discussed will be investigated through complaints filed with the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HICO)."
There was no discussion of impeachment against Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon on this day.
The impeachment motion will be submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly and, according to the National Assembly Act, will be put to a vote between 24 hours and 72 hours after being reported.
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