South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party on Friday urged South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to dismiss Interior Minister Lee Sang Min over his handling of the Oct. 29 Halloween tragedy in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul that killed nearly 160 people.
Opposition deputy Park Hong Keun said in statements to Parliament that until that happens, it will be the Assembly that «will hold the minister accountable» as it presses for a motion of censure against him.
«President Yoon must take clear action on the dismissal of the interior minister before Monday, the one-month anniversary of the Itaewon tragedy,» Park said, according to Yonhap news agency.
She said that Yoon «has been defying the will of the people lately», so «the National Assembly will have to hold him accountable for the tragedy». Therefore, Park has insisted that «his departure from office should be a priority» as the case is thoroughly investigated.
Both the minister and several senior government officials have been heavily criticized for their inaction in preventing the incident despite alerts due to the large crowding in the area.
The opposition has argued that a proper investigation cannot be carried out if the police officers and Minister Lee remain in office while the investigation is being conducted. However, a no-confidence motion, while it could increase pressure on the politician, would not be binding.
