野 pushes for the impeachment of 18 members of the U.S. government
On the 2nd, the Democratic Party of Korea reported a bill of impeachment against audit and Inspection Service Chairman Choi Jae-hae to the plenary session of the National Assembly for the first time in constitutional history.On this day, the impeachment indictment against three prosecutors involved in the stock price manipulation of Deutsche Motors, including Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Chief Lee Chang-soo, was also reported. The Democratic Party plans to proceed with the impeachment bill against them at the plenary session of the National Assembly to be held two days later, on the 4th. As a result, the number of people the Democratic Party has pushed for impeachment since the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has reached 18.
According to the bill of impeachment against Director Choi, proposed by Rep. Lee Seong-yoon of the Democratic Party and submitted to the National Assembly on the 2nd, there are a total of four grounds for impeachment. The independence of the Board of Audit and Inspection was denied by the statement that “the Board of Audit and Inspection is an institution that supports the president’s administration of state affairs,” and the targeted audit of the Moon Jae-in administration, poor audit related to the relocation of the president’s official residence, and refusal to submit data during the state administration audit were pointed out.
In response to the Democratic Party’s inclusion of the ‘illegal audit of the early closure of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1’ as a reason for impeachment, the Board of Audit and Inspection protested, saying, “This is a matter that the audit results were processed before Director Choi took office,” and “It is inappropriate to hold Director Choi responsible.” The actual audit results of Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1 were announced on october 20, 2020, and Director Choi took office on November 15, 2021.
The democratic Party cited Chief Prosecutor Lee as grounds for impeachment for dereliction of duty, such as providing preferential treatment during the inquiry of Ms. Kim Kun-hee’s alleged involvement in Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation,interfering with the investigation by replacing the investigation team,and failing to indict while ignoring evidence of a serious crime.
Dong-Hoon Han, leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Supreme Council meeting on this day, saying, “It is an attempt to take over the Board of Audit and Inspection and the Prosecutors’ Office,” and “They are driving the entire Republic of Korea into anarchy in order to survive.” Choi Dal-young, Secretary-General of the Board of Audit and Inspection, also said in an emergency briefing, “It is difficult to accept the unconditional accusation of a political audit based on the political advantages and disadvantages of the audit results,” and added, “Please stop instantly the attempt to impeach the Board of Audit and Inspection, who is the head of an independent organization under the Constitution.” Justice Minister Park Seong-jae also refuted, “The impeachment on the grounds that the results of handling a specific case were different from what he thought was an illegal and unfair political offensive.”
Previously, after the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, the Democratic Party proposed an impeachment bill against nine prosecutors, including five ministerial officials, including Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min, Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il, Lee Dong-gwan, and Lee Jin-sook, and Acting Korea Communications Commission Chairman Lee Sang-in.Recently, some in the Democratic Party have argued that Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun should be impeached.
Reporter dabin Yoon [email protected]
Reporter Ko Do-ye [email protected]
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How could the outcome of the impeachment bill affect political polarization in South Korea?
Time.news Interview: Unpacking the Impeachment Movement in South Korea
Interviewer (Time.news editor): Welcome, everyone, to another episode of our interview series. Today, we are discussing an meaningful and contentious issue in South Korea: the recent push for the impeachment of 18 U.S. government members led by the Democratic Party.joining me is Dr. Hana Yoon, a political science expert specializing in South Korean politics. Dr. Yoon, thank you for being here.
dr. Hana Yoon: Thank you for having me.It’s a pleasure to discuss such a pivotal event in our political landscape.
Editor: Let’s dive right into it. The Democratic Party of Korea has introduced an impeachment bill against the Chairman of the Audit and Inspection Service, Choi Jae-hae.What do you think prompted this unprecedented action?
Dr. Yoon: The impeachment of Choi Jae-hae marks the first time in South Korean constitutional history that such a step has been proposed against an individual in his position. The Democratic Party seems to be using this impeachment as a strategic move to challenge what they perceive as failures in governance and accountability by the current administration under Yoon Seok-yeol. They’ve outlined four grounds for the impeachment, which notably include accusations regarding the independence of the board of Audit and Inspection.
Editor: It sounds like a significant political maneuver. One of the grounds mentioned is the alleged targeting of the Moon Jae-in administration in audits. How does this fit into the broader narrative of political polarization in South Korea?
Dr. Yoon: Great question.South Korea has been deeply polarized over recent years, particularly between the progressive base, represented by the Democratic Party, and the conservative factions, like the People Power Party. The mention of targeted audits against a previous administration is not just about accountability; it reflects a broader struggle for narrative control over past governance. By claiming that the independence of the Board of Audit has been compromised for political reasons, the Democratic Party is framing the issue as part of a larger fight for democratic integrity.
Editor: There are also accusations against prosecutors involved in stock price manipulation cases related to Deutsche Motors. How significant is the connection between these legal issues and the push for impeachment?
Dr. Yoon: Very significant. The accusations against Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office Chief Lee Chang-soo and his team highlight perceived failures within the judicial system to address serious crimes effectively. If the public perceives the prosecution as inadequate in dealing wiht high-profile corruption cases, it undermines trust in government institutions. The Democratic Party is leveraging this sentiment, arguing that the impeachment is necessary to restore faith in the justice system.
Editor: In response to these impeachment efforts, leaders from the People Power Party have expressed strong opposition.How do you see this conflict playing out in the National Assembly?
Dr. Yoon: The calls for impeachment are likely to exacerbate tensions within the National assembly. As you’ve noted, leaders from the People Power Party view this as a threat to both the Board of Audit and the integrity of the prosecutors’ Office. They fear that this could lead to anarchy in governance and manipulate institutions for political gains. Given the strong rhetoric from both sides, we could witness intense debates that further polarize the electorate.
Editor: Lastly, with the National Assembly session scheduled, what are the potential implications if the impeachment bill passes or fails?
Dr. Yoon: If the impeachment bill passes, it would not only set a past precedent but also indicate a significant shift in the political dynamics of South Korea. It could empower the Democratic Party and potentially initiate a series of future impeachments. Conversely,if the bill fails,it might consolidate the current administration’s power and could lead to an even greater public disenchantment with the opposition parties,leading them to rethink their strategies moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Yoon, for your invaluable insights. The political landscape in South Korea certainly remains dynamic and full of potential consequences for both the current government and the opposition. We’ll be keeping an eye on the developments as the National Assembly convenes.
dr. Yoon: Thank you for having me. It’s a critical moment for South Korea, and I appreciate the chance to talk about it.
Editor: Thank you to our viewers for tuning in! Stay informed, and we’ll see you next time for more in-depth discussions.