Democratic Party Considers Expulsion of Lee Sang-jik... Counterattack Targeting Park Deok-heum

Public Opinion Worsens... Decision Expected Within This Week
No Woong-rae "People Power Party Must Make a Decision"
People Power Party Announces Special Committee Investigation

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea, which expelled lawmaker Kim Hong-gul, appears to be considering the expulsion card for lawmaker Lee Sang-jik as well. While swiftly resolving internal and external controversies surrounding the two lawmakers, the Democratic Party has launched a counterattack against People Power Party lawmakers Park Deok-heum and Cho Su-jin, who are also embroiled in controversies.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, the People Power Party announced that it will form a special committee to investigate the allegations against lawmaker Park. Choi Hyung-doo, the party’s floor spokesperson, held a briefing that morning and said, "We have decided to form an emergency fact-finding special committee. It will be composed of insiders and outsiders with investigative experience and expertise, including former prosecutors and police officers, as well as those with professional policy experience in budget procurement and public contracts." He added, "We plan to swiftly uncover the truth and take appropriate measures."

The Democratic Party’s Ethics Inspection Team is expected to reach a conclusion on the disciplinary action against lawmaker Lee within this week. Previously, on the day the Ethics Inspection Team was launched, the Democratic Party convened an emergency Supreme Council meeting and took disciplinary action against lawmaker Kim, following a 'quick and decisive' procedure. Lee’s side stated, "We will attend the inspection team’s meeting and provide a thorough explanation," but public opinion remains negative.

Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member, said in an interview on the morning of the 21st with MBC Radio’s "Kim Jong-bae’s Focus," "Because it goes against the party’s labor policies, principles, and values, we are taking this matter seriously," and emphasized, "The Lee Nak-yeon leadership’s stance is to respond quickly to internal discipline and allegations." Given the negative public opinion, it is highly likely that the disciplinary process against lawmaker Lee will be concluded swiftly.

While managing internal controversies, the Democratic Party has launched a counterattack against the opposition party. Just as the Democratic Party expelled lawmaker Kim, it demands that the People Power Party take corresponding measures. Lawmaker Park, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, is suspected of receiving construction contracts from agencies under his jurisdiction. Lawmaker Cho is accused of failing to report assets worth approximately 1.1 billion won when running as a proportional representative candidate.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Supreme Council member Roh Woong-rae targeted lawmaker Park, saying, "The worst conflict of interest case in history has occurred. Yet, the People Power Party only transferred lawmaker Park to another standing committee." Roh added, "If you truly fear the power of the people, you must take firm measures to eradicate corruption and wrongdoing."

Democratic Party spokesperson Shin Young-dae also criticized the opposition in a statement the previous day, saying, "The People Power Party should at least take measures such as scapegoating or turning a blind eye." Shin pointed out, "If they belittle the Democratic Party’s strong self-reflective measures while remaining silent about allegations against their own lawmakers, it will be difficult to avoid public criticism that they are just the old Grand National Party or Saenuri Party again." Additionally, lawmaker Yoon Chang-hyun, formerly of Samsung C&T, also became a target of criticism. Yoon, a member of the National Assembly’s Political Affairs Committee responsible for reviewing Samsung-related laws, was pointed out to have a conflict of interest issue similar to lawmaker Park’s.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.