People Power Party Hits Back with President Lee's Past Remarks: "Fire at National Information Resources Service, Dismiss the Minister"

"President, Act as You Once Demanded"
Pressure Mounts for Apology and Dismissal

The opposition party, the People Power Party, strongly criticized President Lee Jaemyung by referencing his past remarks in connection with the nationwide administrative computer network paralysis caused by the fire at the National Information Resources Service. In particular, Assemblyman Joo Jinwoo of the People Power Party urged that, just as President Lee had demanded when he was the leader of the opposition party, there should be a public apology to the nation and the immediate dismissal of Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety, who is responsible for the relevant ministry.

On the night of the 27th, at the fire scene of the National Intelligence Resources Management Institute in Yuseong District, Daejeon, a firefighter is placing a burnt lithium-ion battery into a fire water tank. Photo by Yonhap News.

On the 27th, Assemblyman Joo wrote on his Facebook page, "The Republic of Korea has come to a halt. The situation is far more serious," emphasizing, "President Lee must apologize to the public as he himself once demanded, and immediately dismiss Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety." He continued, "This is an unprecedented disaster, yet President Lee Jaemyung is nowhere to be seen in such situations. He avoids national disasters and diplomatic affairs, but only attends events that promote himself. This disqualifies him as president." He further demanded, "The public deserves to know what President Lee was doing during the 16 hours he was not seen."

This criticism recalls remarks made by President Lee Jaemyung in November 2023, when he was the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. At that time, as opposition leader, President Lee stated, "President Yoon Sukyeol should apologize for the harm suffered by the public due to the complacency and incompetence of public officials and administrative failures," and demanded, "Immediately dismiss Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sangmin." He also criticized, "The government has complete control over national administrative power and wields it without restraint, but whenever a problem arises, they blame the previous administration, the opposition, or others," adding, "Instead of blaming others, they should say 'It is my responsibility' and exercise the authority given to them to ensure the public faces no inconvenience."

Yoon Hojung, Minister of the Interior and Safety. Photo by Yonhap News

The People Power Party has declared its intention to clarify who is responsible for this incident. Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "Minister Yoon should do his utmost to manage the situation, but once it is resolved, he must take responsibility and resign," adding, "President Lee should come before the public and explain in detail the causes, circumstances, and responsibility for this incident."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, also criticized, "This disaster was foreseeable," and added, "The Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party have abandoned their fundamental duties of stabilizing people's livelihoods and inspecting the national system, focusing solely on eliminating political opponents and undermining the judicial system."