Minju: "Decision on Impeachment of Lee Dong-gwan Tomorrow"... Han Dong-hoon Completely Excluded

Democratic Party to Conclude 'Impeachment Motion Against Lee Dong-gwan' at Meeting on 9th
When Asked About Han Dong-hoon, "No Report... Need More Review"
Conscious of Criticism Over 'Impeachment Overuse Causing Government Paralysis'?

The Democratic Party of Korea has postponed adopting a party stance on the impeachment motion against Lee Dong-gwan, Chairman of the Korea Communications Commission. It also showed a step back regarding the impeachment motion against Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice. It appears that criticism over the 'excessive use of impeachment' has become a burden.

On the afternoon of the 8th, Yoon Young-duk, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, told reporters after a party meeting, "Go Min-jeong, a Supreme Council member and chair of the Special Committee on Media Freedom, reported her review opinion regarding the impeachment motion against Chairman Lee Dong-gwan," adding, "Further discussion is necessary, so we decided to continue the discussion at tomorrow's party meeting."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

When asked if there were opposing opinions, he replied, "Regarding the impeachment motion, there was an opinion that a more cautious and deliberative process is needed, considering the heavy responsibility and authority granted to the National Assembly by the Constitution." However, he emphasized that no opposition was raised concerning Chairman Lee's impeachment, saying, "It seems that there is almost a consensus."

In particular, detailed reasons for constitutional and legal violations for impeaching Chairman Lee Dong-gwan were presented, including ▲illegalities related to the operation of the Korea Communications Commission ▲acts such as prior censorship of the media ▲hindrance to the independent operation of the Korea Communications Standards Commission ▲illegalities in the process of recommending candidates for KBS president, explaining that these were reported as "(major grounds) necessary for impeachment."

On the other hand, regarding Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon, who was expected to be jointly pursued for impeachment, he stated, "There was no discussion (at all) about impeachment." When asked if his name was even mentioned at the party meeting, he repeatedly dismissed it, saying, "It was not reported." Then, he said, "Impeachment motions must meet legal requirements," adding, "You can see it as a process of further review." When asked whether it was judged that Minister Han, unlike Chairman Lee, does not meet the legal requirements for impeachment, he avoided a definite answer and replied, "We are examining it more thoroughly."

While the Democratic Party seems likely to push forward with the impeachment motion against Chairman Lee Dong-gwan as originally planned, delaying the final decision until the 9th and showing a step back regarding Minister Han Dong-hoon is also seen as evidence of some political burden. However, spokesperson Yoon countered the criticism that "the Democratic Party is paralyzing the government by overusing impeachment," saying, "Such comments did not come up at the party meeting," and added, "In response to such claims, I would say that 'not impeaching is what ruins the country.'"

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Earlier, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized at the party strategy meeting that day, "Is it some kind of withdrawal symptom from impeachment addiction? How many times has the Democratic Party made reckless impeachment claims already?" He added, "Impeachment motions must be based on clear legal violations, but they are being abused for political gain and to pressure the government." Minister Han also told reporters at the National Assembly that day, "Have any of those being talked about for impeachment, including myself, ever faced criminal trials, been indicted, or even been accused of suborning perjury?" and sharply criticized, "They just want to paralyze the government."

Meanwhile, concerns are growing over the two-member structure of the Korea Communications Commission after Choi Min-hee, the standing commissioner nominee recommended by the opposition party in March, resigned the day before. The Korea Communications Commission originally has a full complement of five members, but currently operates with only two: Chairman Lee Dong-gwan and Vice Chairman Lee Sang-in. If the impeachment motion against Chairman Lee is filed, it would effectively leave Vice Chairman Lee Sang-in alone, making it impossible to continue operations and resulting in a 'vegetative state.' Previously, Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min returned to office 167 days after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against him.

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