Criticism Arises in the Democratic Party Over Min Hyung-bae's Defection... Lee Sang-min Says "Politics Should Not Be Done Like This"

Sangmin Lee on Min Hyungbae's Party Resignation: "Futile Delusions Are a Shortcut to Ruin"

Lee Sang-min, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 20th, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, abruptly left the party to push forward legislation for the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority), which entails the complete separation of prosecution's investigation and indictment powers. In response, Lee Sang-min, a Democratic Party lawmaker and former chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, criticized, "Politics should not be conducted in this manner."

Lee, a five-term senior lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "The more difficult and complicated the issue, the more we must adhere to principles and take the straightforward approach."

Referring to Min's departure, he pointed out, "There must have been some deliberation, but this trivializes politics and reduces it to a disposable item." He added, "The public is watching. Delusions lead to ruin. Let's act with discernment."

Earlier, Min submitted his resignation from the Democratic Party and became an independent lawmaker. It appears that the Democratic Party intends to place Min, who supports Geomsu Wanbak, as the one independent member participating in the upcoming agenda adjustment committee, aiming to swiftly pass the bill.

If a bill referred to the agenda adjustment committee receives approval from two-thirds or more of the six members, it is considered reviewed by the subcommittee and can be immediately submitted to the plenary session. The agenda adjustment committee consists of three members each from the ruling and opposition parties, but with Min becoming independent, he can now participate as part of the opposition quota.

Regarding this, Min posted on Facebook, "For the first time since entering politics, I am leaving the Democratic Party," and stated, "I am taking courage in hopes of contributing even a little to the normalization of the prosecution through the separation of investigation and indictment powers. This is to prepare for any possible role I might have."

Min Hyung-bae, a lawmaker who left the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

However, both inside and outside the party, criticism has arisen that this move was a reckless attempt to forcibly push through the Geomsu Wanbak legislation.

Park Hyung-soo, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement on the day, saying, "The Democratic Party is playing with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee like a pawn to pass the Geomsu Wanbak bill," and directly questioned, "Is it acceptable to move lawmakers in and out like pawns on a chessboard just to pass a bill that everyone except the Democratic Party opposes?"

He added, "The more reckless the Democratic Party is in pushing Geomsu Wanbak, the more it will become isolated from the public," and said, "The Democratic Party's trick of staging a fake resignation show to push Geomsu Wanbak while ignoring the public's cold gaze will surely face the judgment of the people."

Jang Tae-soo, spokesperson for the Justice Party, said in a briefing, "All reform tasks, including the adjustment of prosecution's investigative authority, must belong solely to the people," and criticized, "Yet the Democratic Party's actions to make this their own time and their own matter are incomprehensible in terms of their purpose."

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