The ruling party, buoyed by a recent Constitutional Court decision regarding Lee Jin-sook, is expected to intensify its offensive against the opposition, highlighting allegations of political oppression. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party continues to apply pressure on Lee and fellow party member Kim Tae-kyu, both considered hardliners within the ruling party.
According to political sources on the 22nd, the Constitutional Court unanimously granted a partial suspension of Lee's disqualification request the previous day. As a result, Lee is allowed to participate in the National Assembly's inspection of the Ministry of Science and ICT, but the disqualification remains in effect for certain matters, including decisions made during her tenure as chair of the Korea Communications Commission and related allegations against her.
The ruling and opposition parties engaged in a war of words through press conferences starting in the morning, centered around the Constitutional Court's decision. Lee stated, "The Constitutional Court has put a brake on the Democratic Party's majority violence." She further argued that if the Democratic Party's logic holds, then fellow party members Han Jun-ho and Kim Hyun, who served as the ruling party's committee chairs, should also be disqualified due to conflicts of interest.
In response, members of the ruling party held their own press conference, dismissing Lee's claims as a "psychological victory." They asserted that the court's decision specifically addressed concerns about Lee's conflicts of interest and clarified the scope of her disqualification. They emphasized the need for Lee to comply with the restrictions on her participation in the inspection.
The exchanges continued in the National Assembly's inspection session, with Kim Jang-gyeom of the ruling party demanding an apology from the Democratic Party, stating, "Lee has clearly stated she would recuse herself from decisions she made, yet the party has broadly restricted her speaking rights, effectively silencing her." Opposition party member Choi Hyung-doo also urged the Democratic Party to cease its unreasonable arguments.
Democratic Party member Lee Joo-hee countered, "When exactly did we broadly restrict Lee's inquiries and the inspection process?" She cautioned against misrepresenting the court's decision as a complete endorsement of Lee. Another party member, Lee Jeong-heon, asserted that the court's ruling does not absolve Lee of her responsibilities.
The Democratic Party leadership is ramping up its attacks on both Lee and Kim Tae-kyu. Chun Jun-ho, the Democratic Party's floor leader, called for immediate disciplinary action against Kim during a meeting on inspection strategies, questioning how long the ruling party would continue to defend Kim's inflammatory remarks supporting insurrection.
Previously, Chun had also demanded Kim's resignation from his party positions during a full meeting of the National Assembly's Operations Committee.
According to political sources on the 22nd, the Constitutional Court unanimously granted a partial suspension of Lee's disqualification request the previous day. As a result, Lee is allowed to participate in the National Assembly's inspection of the Ministry of Science and ICT, but the disqualification remains in effect for certain matters, including decisions made during her tenure as chair of the Korea Communications Commission and related allegations against her.
The ruling and opposition parties engaged in a war of words through press conferences starting in the morning, centered around the Constitutional Court's decision. Lee stated, "The Constitutional Court has put a brake on the Democratic Party's majority violence." She further argued that if the Democratic Party's logic holds, then fellow party members Han Jun-ho and Kim Hyun, who served as the ruling party's committee chairs, should also be disqualified due to conflicts of interest.
In response, members of the ruling party held their own press conference, dismissing Lee's claims as a "psychological victory." They asserted that the court's decision specifically addressed concerns about Lee's conflicts of interest and clarified the scope of her disqualification. They emphasized the need for Lee to comply with the restrictions on her participation in the inspection.
The exchanges continued in the National Assembly's inspection session, with Kim Jang-gyeom of the ruling party demanding an apology from the Democratic Party, stating, "Lee has clearly stated she would recuse herself from decisions she made, yet the party has broadly restricted her speaking rights, effectively silencing her." Opposition party member Choi Hyung-doo also urged the Democratic Party to cease its unreasonable arguments.
Democratic Party member Lee Joo-hee countered, "When exactly did we broadly restrict Lee's inquiries and the inspection process?" She cautioned against misrepresenting the court's decision as a complete endorsement of Lee. Another party member, Lee Jeong-heon, asserted that the court's ruling does not absolve Lee of her responsibilities.
The Democratic Party leadership is ramping up its attacks on both Lee and Kim Tae-kyu. Chun Jun-ho, the Democratic Party's floor leader, called for immediate disciplinary action against Kim during a meeting on inspection strategies, questioning how long the ruling party would continue to defend Kim's inflammatory remarks supporting insurrection.
Previously, Chun had also demanded Kim's resignation from his party positions during a full meeting of the National Assembly's Operations Committee.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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