Opposition: "Yoon, Make a Decisive Move to Dismiss Lee Sang-min"... Ruling Party: "Grabbing Benefits Before the Ceremony"

Park Hong-geun "If public sentiment is ultimately rejected, we will firmly hold responsibility"
Jang Dong-hyeok "Democratic Party simply dislikes the Police Bureau"

Minister of the Interior and Safety Sang-min Lee (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, has once again called for the dismissal of Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. In response, the People Power Party criticized, saying, "They are trying to grab the ashes before even performing the memorial rites."

On the 27th, Floor Leader Park stated on his Facebook, "Two days ago, I declared that if President Yoon Seok-yeol does not dismiss Minister Lee Sang-min by the 28th, which is before the one-month anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy, the National Assembly will step in to hold him accountable."

He continued, "President Yoon Seok-yeol should no longer awkwardly avoid the anguished cries of the bereaved families and the public's angry opinion. Continuing to shield and protect Minister Lee is not only irresponsible but also appears pitifully weak," adding, "I urge him to show a belated decision before the one-month anniversary of the tragedy. If he ultimately refuses common sense and public sentiment, I and the Democratic Party will firmly hold him accountable in the National Assembly on behalf of the bereaved families and the public."

Floor Leader Park also said, "The People Power Party's attitude of 'defending the Yoon Seok-yeol administration at all costs' without considering the majority of the people's demands or the gravity of the issue is not only a betrayal of the National Assembly's fundamental duty to check the executive branch but also a betrayal of the people's will," and criticized, "According to the People Power Party's argument, since the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's responsibility for the Itaewon tragedy has not yet been officially determined, why did President Yoon offer a vague and half-hearted apology to the public and the bereaved families?"

Park further explained, "What is required of high-ranking public officials who oversee administration, such as the president, ministers, and provincial governors, is an attitude of unlimited responsibility, and when a nationally significant incident occurs, they must be the first to take political and moral responsibility."

On the same day, Jang Dong-hyuk, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, issued a statement saying, "As soon as the ruling and opposition parties agreed on a parliamentary audit, the Democratic Party immediately demanded the dismissal of Minister Lee. This is like trying to grab the ashes before even performing the memorial rites," and added, "Impeachment can only be pursued when a public official violates the constitution or laws in the execution of their duties."

Spokesperson Jang said, "While dismissal recommendations are a recurring event for the Democratic Party every season, what is the intention behind bringing up impeachment before even conducting a parliamentary audit or before the investigation results are out?" emphasizing, "The reason the Democratic Party threatens impeachment from the start of the parliamentary audit is clear: they simply do not like the Police Bureau."

He continued, "While the party unites to shield the party leader facing unprecedented judicial risks, the Democratic Party threatens impeachment against the Minister of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, whose legal responsibility has not yet been determined. They have already lost all reason and decency," and criticized, "In the Democratic Party's behavior, which cannot even endure a single day without revealing the dark intentions behind the parliamentary audit, there is not even a speck of responsibility expected from a legitimate political party."

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