Opposition to Hold Emergency Party Meeting on 12th to Propose Impeachment of Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop (Comprehensive)

Lee Jae-myung: "The Impeachment of Minister Lee is the People's Mandate"

The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 11th that it will push for the impeachment of Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop in connection with allegations of investigation interference in the case of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, who died in the line of duty during flood recovery operations. The Democratic Party plans to hold an emergency party meeting on the 12th to proceed with the party-line impeachment proposal.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kwon Chil-seung, the Democratic Party’s chief spokesperson, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that day, "We plan to submit the impeachment motion against Minister Lee as a party-line proposal."

He also urged the ruling party to accept a special investigation regarding the allegations of investigation interference, saying, "Our internal public opinion poll showed a very high demand for an immediate acceptance of a special prosecutor for the Marine Corps death case." He left open the possibility of cooperation with other parties, stating, "If there are other parties to cooperate with, we will do so together."

On the 12th day of his hunger strike, party leader Lee released a statement declaring, "The impeachment of the Defense Minister is the will of the people," and officially announced the push for Minister Lee’s impeachment.

In the statement, Leader Lee criticized, "President Yoon Seok-yeol refused the public’s demand to dismiss the minister," and added, "Not only did he oppress the Marine Corps investigation chief who tried to uncover the truth, but he also defied the people’s mandate." He continued, "During last week’s parliamentary questioning, it was fully revealed that Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop unlawfully and unjustly interfered in the investigation," and pointed out, "Yet the president’s failure to dismiss a minister who shamelessly committed illegal acts proves that the investigation interference was ordered by the president himself."

Addressing the People Power Party, he said, "They are once again leading the public scare by calling the minister’s impeachment a ‘security vacuum’," and questioned, "I hope they act responsibly as the ruling party. Is it the ruling party’s role to protect a minister who cannot even safeguard the lives of enlisted soldiers and who conceals the truth?"

Leader Lee emphasized, "The impeachment of the Defense Minister will not be the end but the starting point of uncovering the truth," and stated, "The Democratic Party will reveal every detail of this case through a special prosecutor following the impeachment." He added, "There can be no sanctuary before the truth. We will ensure a thorough investigation as the people wish so that such a tragedy never happens again."

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