LKP, BMP submit motion to dismiss defense minister over NK boat crossing

Reps. Baek Seung-joo, left, of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party and Yu Eui-dong, second from left, of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party submit a motion to the office of the National Assembly calling for the dismissal of Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo for what they claim are a series of security lapses, Monday. Yonhap

By Park Ji-won

The main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) joined forces with the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party (BMP) to file a request for the sacking of Defense Minister Jeong Kyeong-doo, claiming the minister is responsible for a North Korean boat's undetected crossing into South Korean territory.

The motion, which the two parties filed at the National Assembly, must be processed within 72 hours.

The defense ministry faced criticism for its failure in June to detect a boat carrying four North Koreans that entered South Korean waters and docked at Samcheok Port on the country's east coast. They are suspected of trying to cover up the incident. The Navy was also said to have forced a Navy sailor to give false testimony during an investigation into the incident in July.

While the opposition parties were seeking Jeong's dismissal, the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said Monday it won't support the request, saying the motion is a political maneuver from the opposition to politicize the security issue and use it as leverage to block the passage of the government's supplementary budget bill.

“It is not okay to consider the extra budget as a hostage and continue the political strife. The LKP should stop its political battle and join the passage of the budget on Friday,” DPK floor leader Rep. Lee In-young said in a party meeting. In March, the LKP submitted a similar motion calling for Jeong's removal, but failed to put it to a vote during a parliamentary session due to opposition from the ruling DPK and the BMP.

Floor leaders of the LKP, the DPK and the BMP had a meeting Monday to discuss when to hold the Assembly session, but failed to come up with a schedule due to their differences over the passage of the LKP's motion.

After the meeting, LKP floor leader Rep. Na Kyung-won criticized the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) for “blindly” defending Jeong and pledged not to join hands with the ruling party unless it agrees to Jeong's dismissal and the launching of a National Assembly investigation into the North Korean boat case.

National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, second from left, and party floor leaders hold a meeting at Moon's office at the National Assembly, Monday. From left are Reps. Lee In-young of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, Moon, Na Kyung-won of the main opposition Liberty Korea Party and Oh Shin-hwan of the minor opposition Bareunmirae Party. Yonhap