Woo Sang-ho "Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker, Mediating Minister Lee Sang-min's Issue Behind the Scenes... Not Just Enduring"

"The details need to progress, but the chairman will fulfill his role as chairman"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Woo Sang-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the special committee for the Itaewon disaster national investigation, introduced on the 2nd that National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo is making a ‘mediation effort’ regarding the handling of the dismissal request for Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min.

On the same day, Woo appeared on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ and said, “(Speaker Kim told the floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties) to reach an agreement, but in reality, I understand that the Speaker is currently coordinating behind the scenes,” adding, “I understand that he is making mediation efforts to produce an answer regarding Minister Lee’s position if possible. It is not just a matter of unilaterally demanding an agreement and holding firm.”

The Democratic Party had requested Speaker Kim on the previous day to hold a plenary session of the National Assembly to report on the dismissal request for Minister Lee, but it was not accepted. For the dismissal recommendation to be processed, a plenary session must be held and a vote taken within 72 hours after 24 hours have passed since the dismissal recommendation is reported. Because of this, the Democratic Party planned to hold a plenary session on the 1st to report, and then vote on the 2nd. However, as Speaker Kim did not convene the plenary session, the Democratic Party’s original plan was disrupted.

Woo said, “(Speaker Kim) seems to be trying to seek a certain political compromise from the Speaker’s position because the opposition party submitted the dismissal recommendation and the ruling party said they would reject the national investigation if the dismissal recommendation passes, resulting in a strong confrontation,” adding, “We will have to see further progress to know the specific details, but the Speaker is fulfilling his role as the Speaker.”

He continued, “The opposition also respects the Speaker, who is from our party, but ultimately, I think the resolution of this issue depends on President Yoon Seok-yeol and the ruling party giving at least some indication about what to do with Minister Lee’s position,” adding, “In fact, within the People Power Party, there is a majority opinion that Minister Lee cannot be kept, regardless of the timing and method of his removal.”

Regarding speculation that the Democratic Party will immediately bring out the impeachment card if the dismissal recommendation fails, Woo said, “As far as I know, the Democratic Party has not yet decided on such a position.”

Earlier, Woo, at a meeting with bereaved families of the Itaewon disaster on the previous day, mentioned, “If Minister Lee cannot step down immediately, I think he should at least promise to resign after the national investigation is over.”

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