Park Jumin: "Clear Reasons for Impeachment of Foreign Affairs and Justice Ministers"

"Foreign Minister and Justice Minister Impeachment Under Review"
"Corruption Investigation Office Maintains Travel Ban"

Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop is responding to lawmakers' questions during the government inquiry session at the National Assembly plenary meeting held on the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park Ju-min, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 13th regarding the proposal of the 'Lee Jong-seop Special Investigation Act,' "We are considering the impeachment of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice. It is a clear ground for impeachment as they acted as accomplices or main perpetrators in aiding and abetting the escape and concealment of the culprit." The Democratic Party proposed the special investigation bill aimed at clarifying the entire process of former Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, who had been under investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) for alleged interference in the investigation of the Marine Corps Corporal Chae Sang-byeong case, being appointed as ambassador to Australia and departing the country.

On the same day, Park Ju-min said on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "Doesn't it seem that the person who is clearly suspected of a crime was allowed to leave the country knowingly?" and added, "We are considering the impeachment of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice."

The Democratic Party raised suspicions that the Presidential Office, Ministry of Justice, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs systematically tried to smuggle the suspect out of the country regarding Lee's departure to Australia. Deputy Floor Leader Park explained, "There was suspicion that the initial investigation by the military and police into Corporal Chae's death was minimized and concealed before handing it over to the police," and added, "The Minister of National Defense, Lee, was deeply involved, and I think the starting point was the Presidential Office."

The government explained the reason for lifting the travel ban on Lee by stating, "The complaint filed by the PCC against Lee was received around September 2023, but he was never summoned for investigation even once." In response, Deputy Floor Leader Park said, "We inquired about what information regarding the travel ban was conveyed to the PCC and received an official written response yesterday (the 12th)." He continued, "The PCC has the intention to investigate and holds the position that the travel ban on Lee should not be lifted. They communicated this to the Ministry of Justice, but it was unilaterally ignored."

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