Kim Min-seok, leader of the Democratic Party, met with Jo Jeong-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, to discuss the controversy surrounding lawmaker Lee Jin-sook's remarks about the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Kim stated that Lee's comments, which he described as a direct violation of constitutional principles, warrant expulsion from the National Assembly and called for discussions on suspending her membership.
During the meeting on August 20, Kim emphasized, "If expulsion is difficult, there is a bill that can be submitted to suspend her membership through a plenary session." He urged the National Assembly to exercise principled leadership to uphold its democratic integrity.
Lee sparked controversy on August 13 during a forum co-hosted by the civic group New History National Movement, where she referred to the May 18 Democratic Uprising as a "disturbance." In response, the Democratic Party submitted a resolution to the National Assembly on August 14 calling for her expulsion.
Kim also addressed the situation regarding Chief Justice Jo Hee-dae, who has faced pressure to resign due to controversies surrounding his appointment of Supreme Court justices. He stated, "If the Chief Justice's erroneous actions do not lead to internal reform within the judiciary, the National Assembly must take decisive action with a sense of responsibility."
He expressed a commitment to continue communication with the opposition to aid in economic recovery, stating, "We need to create institutional improvements that allow for more constructive competition between the ruling and opposition parties in this National Assembly," and requested Jo's guidance in this effort.
In response, Jo noted that South Korea is facing two significant challenges: a global complex crisis and the need for economic stability. He stressed the importance of demonstrating the ruling party's competence to the public at this time. Jo encouraged the development of rational and effective alternatives while addressing various economic issues, echoing the sentiments of late former President Kim Dae-jung regarding the need for awareness and practical solutions.
Jo also mentioned that a recent amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act has passed in the National Assembly, marking a significant change in the criminal justice system that has been in place for 78 years. He urged careful attention to prevent confusion and ensure that no victims arise from these changes.
Meanwhile, Kim is scheduled to meet with Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party. Park Seong-jun, the party's chief spokesperson, stated that they are planning to arrange meetings with social elders, advisors, and opposition leaders, including Jang, in the coming week.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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