Home minister faces impeachment motion

By Do Je-hae

Chong Jong-sup

The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) plans to file a motion to the National Assembly soon to impeach Security and Public Administration Minister Chong Jong-sup, the party said Monday.

During a meeting with ruling party lawmakers last week, Chong proposed a toast, calling for victory for the party in the general election next year.

The opposition party claimed his comments violated the Election Law that bans public officials from expressing political opinions publicly.

Chong offered a public apology Friday, but the party said he should resign or be impeached.

“If Chong does not offer his resignation, he must be impeached,” NPAD Chairman Rep. Moon Jae-in said at a party workshop. “A home minister, who is responsible for overseeing fair elections, has expressed outright support for the victory of the ruling party in the elections. This constitutes grounds for dismissal and punishment.”

The NPAD has yet to decide on the timing of the motion.

The National Assembly can initiate an impeachment motion against a Cabinet minister if one-third of lawmakers endorse it.

The opposition party has 128 seats while the ruling party commands a parliamentary majority with 159 seats.

The ruling Saenuri Party has stood by Chong, saying the toast was just a “well-wishing” remark. The party pointed out that Chong did not specify a particular party in the toast.

The party came to the minister's defense Monday.

“Chong's remarks were customary words of good luck at a closed-door event,” Rep. Kim Hoe-sun, head of the party's legal team, said during a Supreme Council meeting. “Therefore, they are not grounds for impeachment.”