Lee Jae-myung "Lee Jong-seop Escaped Abroad... Is Yoon Sane?"

"Watching Lee Jong-seop's Departure, Wondering if Yoon Administration Is Sane"
Democratic Party Considers Impeachment Measures Against Foreign and Justice Ministers

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, sharply criticized the departure of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, who had been under investigation for alleged external pressure in the Marine Corps fatality case, after being appointed as ambassador to Australia, calling it a "criminal fugitive case." The Democratic Party plans to push for the impeachment of Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol and Justice Minister Park Seong-jae, who allowed the former minister's departure.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 11th, Lee Jae-myung said, "Upon seeing the departure of former Minister Lee Jong-seop, I wondered if this administration is sane, because no rational judgment would allow this," and stated, "This is a case of hiding a criminal and enabling a criminal's overseas escape using state power." He added, "Although President Yoon Seok-yeol may have succeeded in shielding himself by sending the key suspect abroad, this ultimately proves to the public that the president himself is the main figure behind the cover-up and escape."

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee said, "Looking at the behavior of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the ruling party, there seems to be a certain pattern," adding, "Due to the confusion in the recent candidate nomination process, the Democratic Party's approval ratings have stagnated, and the People Power Party's ratings have risen due to distortion, suddenly the instincts that had been restrained seem to have surfaced." He continued, "When the Democratic Party's approval ratings were ahead, they seemed to be cautious and restrained, but as the ratings appear to have slightly reversed, they immediately appointed former Minister Lee as ambassador to Australia and let him escape through a loophole."

He emphasized, "This election serves as a precedent that clearly shows what attitude the People Power Party or the Yoon Seok-yeol administration will take if the outcome goes their way," and said, "This is why we must show the people’s fear." He further defined the election as "not a contest between the People Power Party and the Democratic Party, but a confrontation between the people and the anti-people forces that despise the people, namely the People Power Party." Addressing President Yoon, he urged, "Immediately revoke the appointment of former Minister Lee as ambassador to Australia and bring him back to the country."

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung and floor leader Hong Ik-pyo, among others, are picketing to condemn the departure of Lee Jong-seop, the nominee for Ambassador to Australia, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Floor leader Hong Ik-pyo also echoed, "This is an unprecedented situation where state institutions mobilized public authority to help a key suspect flee abroad," and said, "The overseas escape of the key accomplice in the investigation pressure related to the Marine Corps fatality case, led and carried out by the president, has become a reality."

Hong said, "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a diplomatic passport, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) conducted a formal four-hour summons investigation that facilitated the overseas escape, and the Ministry of Justice lifted the travel ban due to inadequate personnel screening, effectively enabling Lee Jong-seop to flee abroad," adding, "This obstructed the investigation by sending the key suspect away and preventing the probe from reaching the presidential office."

He stated, "We will file charges against all officials involved in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice, including the ministers, for abuse of authority and obstruction of investigation related to the appointment and departure of former Minister Lee as ambassador," and emphasized, "We will convene the relevant standing committees to scrutinize the matter and, after legal review, will also pursue impeachment of the foreign minister and justice minister."