People Power Party Submits 'Jeong Dongyoung Dismissal Motion'... "Diplomatic Autonomous Faction Must Be Restructured"

As the People Power Party increases pressure over Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung's remarks regarding North Korea's "Guseong nuclear facility," a motion calling for his dismissal has been submitted to the National Assembly.

Kwak Kyutaek, People Power Party floor spokesperson, told reporters after submitting the motion of dismissal against Minister Jeong to the National Assembly Secretariat of Legislative Affairs on the morning of April 24, 2026, "All People Power Party lawmakers have sponsored the motion for Minister Jeong's dismissal."

People Power Party floor spokespersons Kwak Kyutaek and Park Chungkwon submitted a motion of dismissal against Minister of Unification Jeong Dongyoung to the National Assembly Secretariat of Legislative Affairs on the 24th. Photo by Yonhap News

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Park Chungkwon, another floor spokesperson, explained, "A plenary session is scheduled for the 28th, and to hold a vote on the motion that day, we plan to request the Speaker to convene a plenary session on the 27th so the motion can be formally reported."

Earlier the same day, People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk held a press conference at the National Assembly, stepping up pressure for Minister Jeong's dismissal. Jang stated, "If President Lee Jaemyung tries to keep Minister Jeong in place, the South Korea-U.S. alliance will inevitably face further fractures. He must be dismissed immediately, and the so-called 'self-reliant' officials in the diplomatic and security line who are undermining the alliance must be removed."

Jang further commented, "The United States is taking this matter extremely seriously. Information sharing, which is a key measure of alliance trust, has already been suspended. Minister Jeong's remarks have undermined the foundation of trust, and President Lee is accelerating this collapse of confidence."

Jang also said, "The U.S. side believes that, for information sharing to resume, there must be clear guarantees and promises that such irresponsible leaks will not happen again. It appears that the Lee administration does not fully recognize the severity of this situation."

Jang emphasized, "At this moment, the Republic of Korea is facing not only a crisis in the South Korea-U.S. alliance but also a crisis for the survival of its system. The People Power Party will fight with all its strength to stop the Lee administration's anti-American and pro-China actions."

Kim Gun, the opposition secretary for the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, also pointed out during a party strategy meeting held that day, "Instead of shielding Minister Jeong, President Lee must hold him clearly accountable for this incident and take urgent measures to restore our security posture."

Meanwhile, last month, Minister Jeong stated before the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that, in addition to previously known sites, North Korea operates a uranium enrichment facility in Guseong, North Pyongan Province. In response, the U.S. reportedly limited the sharing of North Korea-related intelligence with South Korea, citing Minister Jeong's public disclosure of sensitive information about North Korea.

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