Jang Donghyuk Criticizes 'Landmine Incident'... "Deliberate Investigation Delay Grounds for Presidential Impeachment"

"Joint National Assembly Hearing and Parliamentary Investigation Needed"

The People Power Party recently criticized the Lee Jaemyung administration, claiming that it is allowing evidence of North Korea’s involvement in the recent landmine explosion presumed to have occurred in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to disappear.

On the 27th, at a press conference at the National Assembly, Representative Jang Donghyuk stated, "There is a very high possibility that this landmine explosion was caused by wooden box mines recently planted by North Korean soldiers after crossing the Military Demarcation Line (MDL). If that is the case, it is a clear act of aggression." He added, "Nevertheless, the military only began preliminary preparations—not a full-scale investigation—five days after the incident occurred."

Representative Jang further stated, "If President Lee Jaemyung deliberately delayed the on-site investigation, it would constitute a clear act of aiding the enemy. This is equivalent to a 'crime of treason' that is not protected by presidential immunity," emphasizing, "This is a crime that warrants not only impeachment, but also immediate detention and trial."

Meanwhile, Representative Jang summarized this year’s public sentiment during Chuseok as "on the brink of explosion," demanding, "Immediately halt the expropriation of farmland, real estate seizures, and the plundering of citizens’ property."

Regarding the public sentiment during Chuseok, he said, "The people’s anger was about to erupt. Many people asked when the next presidential election would be. There were quite a few who, after seeing the news of President Lee’s trip to the United States, said they would have preferred if he hadn’t returned at all."

Yonhap News Agency

He continued, "Farmers’ anger was truly sky-high. Many people pleaded with us to intervene, asking, 'Why is the president taking my land?' in response to the president’s comment about forcibly selling farmland that isn’t being cultivated. Is the government’s agricultural policy to ruin the livelihoods of farmers just to catch a tiny handful of speculators?" He criticized the government’s comprehensive survey of farmland.

He also noted, "As the annual moving season at year-end approaches, many citizens are worried about housing. The president insists that a slight drop in housing prices in Gangnam is a case of ‘price smoothing’ even though prices are soaring in other areas. Ordinary people are losing sleep over concerns about rents and lease renewals, while those who own homes are trembling over a tax bomb. Instead of watching YouTube channels featuring left-leaning real estate commentators who claim house prices are falling, I urge the president to make a fundamental shift in real estate policy."

Furthermore, he said, "Our people are also extremely angry at President Lee’s excessive concern for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s feelings. Even though our battalion commander lost his foot and soldiers were injured, the president has only posted a token message on social media and has not taken any substantial stance. Although it is clearly an act by North Korea to any observer, he continues to maintain complete silence on the matter."

Regarding the issue of the repatriation of a North Korean prisoner of war from Ukraine, Representative Jang commented, "He tried to hide something that should not have been hidden at all. No matter what excuse President Lee gives, it is clear that he tried to conceal it because it might upset Kim Jong Un." He added, "Then he hurled invective at our party, calling us 'murderers' and 'traitors' for criticizing this. The root cause of our security collapse lies with the president himself, and he must be held accountable for everything that has happened."

When asked whether the party would hold an 'outdoor rally'—a decision that was to be made after hearing the Chuseok public sentiment—Representative Jang replied, "There are a number of urgent issues including the Constitutional Court reappointment issue, the comprehensive survey of farmland, the landmine explosion incident, and the issue of North Korean prisoner repatriation. We will closely monitor how the president and the Democratic Party act going forward."

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