PPP Criticizes Ruling Party's Push to Expel Lee Jinsook: "Political Offensive... Fairness Needed on Other Issues"

On August 25, the People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for passing a resolution in the National Assembly Steering Committee to expel Assemblywoman Lee Jinsook, who co-hosted a forum on the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement with right-wing groups. The People Power Party called this a "political offensive," stating, "It is an attempt to cover up the government’s numerous mistakes and divert the public’s attention elsewhere."

Yonhap News Agency

Chief spokesperson Park Chungkwon of the People Power Party told reporters in the afternoon, "If we are to discuss the ethics and duties of lawmakers, all cases submitted by both ruling and opposition parties should be debated fairly." He added this comment, emphasizing that the party earlier boycotted the Steering Committee meeting after signs emerged that the expulsion resolution would pass.

Previously, on August 13, despite opposition and dissuasion from inside and outside the party, Assemblywoman Lee held a forum on May 18 together with a right-wing group. In response, parties aligned with the ruling coalition processed the expulsion resolution against Lee in the Steering Committee. Assemblywoman Lee responded on social media, protesting, "Is this how the sanctification of May 18 is finalized?"

Chief spokesperson Park further stated, "It was a forum held by a member of the legislative body. Our party (referring to Assemblywoman Lee) did not agree with everything discussed at the seminar," adding, "Such political offensives seem to aim at concealing failures such as the collapsed real estate and stock markets, as well as the breakdown of the South Korea-U.S. alliance."

He continued, "Our party boycotted the Steering Committee meeting in protest against the Democratic Party’s unilateral push for Assemblywoman Lee's expulsion. If there are future disciplinary actions that are politically motivated, I believe our party will actively oppose and protest them."

Meanwhile, Chief spokesperson Park addressed the growing backlash within and outside the party regarding Chairman Jang Donghyeok’s proposal for all Party Chapter Steering Committee heads to resign en masse and be re-elected through votes by party members, saying, "the (party leader) is currently reviewing the timing and related details," and added, "I understand that the will to bring about change and structural reform within the party remains unchanged."

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