By Choi Ha-young
Chairwoman of the minor conservative Bareun Party Rep. Lee Hye-hoon resigned from her post Thursday over a bribery scandal, only 74 days after she was elected.
But she claimed innocence, saying she decided to give up the post to comply with a prosecution investigation.
"I apologize for my carelessness," Lee said. "I made this decision for our party. I sincerely hope that the party will keep following the path of reform."
Lee has been under investigation since last week for allegedly receiving 60 million won ($53,000) from a businessman in 2015. The businessman claimed Lee promised business favors in return for cash and lavish gifts.
Even after Lee flatly dismissed the allegation, calls for her resignation had been rising inside the party.
The economist-turned-politician has been a vocal critic of the bigger conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP). She lashed out at the former ruling party and disgraced President Park Geun-hye, which eventually led her to break away from the LKP and launch the Bareun Party.
Following her resignation, the party's de facto co-founders ― former presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min and six-term lawmaker Kim Moo-sung ― are emerging as interim leader contenders. Yoo became a star politician by rising in revolt against ex-President Park and gained 6.8 percent of the vote in May's presidential election. Kim is also an anti-Park conservative figure.
On Thursday, party floor leader Joo Ho-young delivered a policy speech at a National Assembly plenary session in place of the former chairwoman. Rep. Joo floated hard-line measures to deter North Korea's continued provocations, even mentioning "war."
"A country being scared of war can't evade it," Joo said. "A country that thoroughly prepares for war can protect peace."
In response to Pyongyang's sixth and unprecedentedly powerful nuclear test Sunday, Joo offered hawkish options ― operating a multilayered missile defense system, redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons and completing the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan to target the North Korean regime.
"South Korea should be able to manage nuclear weapons directly so that the North is unable to make a nuclear attack," he said.
"A multilayered missile defense system to impenetrably intercept those flying through high, medium and low altitudes merely costs 10 trillion won. The prerequisite for these options is a solid ROK-U.S. alliance."
In line with minor liberal People's Party floor leader Kim Dong-cheol's remark a day before, Joo criticized President Moon Jae-in's security officials for mishandling the ongoing crisis.
In the National Assembly's regular session last Friday, party leaders ― ruling Democratic Party Korea Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae, People's Party floor leader Kim and Bareun Party floor leader Joo ― revealed each party's idea to alleviate escalating security threats.
Choo on Monday drew fire from the opposition bloc for sticking to "dialogue," causing dissonance with Cheong Wa Dae and the international community. LKP Chairman Chung Woo-taik rejected the speech in protest against the administration.
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| Rep. Lee Hye-hoon |
But she claimed innocence, saying she decided to give up the post to comply with a prosecution investigation.
"I apologize for my carelessness," Lee said. "I made this decision for our party. I sincerely hope that the party will keep following the path of reform."
Lee has been under investigation since last week for allegedly receiving 60 million won ($53,000) from a businessman in 2015. The businessman claimed Lee promised business favors in return for cash and lavish gifts.
Even after Lee flatly dismissed the allegation, calls for her resignation had been rising inside the party.
The economist-turned-politician has been a vocal critic of the bigger conservative Liberty Korea Party (LKP). She lashed out at the former ruling party and disgraced President Park Geun-hye, which eventually led her to break away from the LKP and launch the Bareun Party.
Following her resignation, the party's de facto co-founders ― former presidential candidate Yoo Seong-min and six-term lawmaker Kim Moo-sung ― are emerging as interim leader contenders. Yoo became a star politician by rising in revolt against ex-President Park and gained 6.8 percent of the vote in May's presidential election. Kim is also an anti-Park conservative figure.
On Thursday, party floor leader Joo Ho-young delivered a policy speech at a National Assembly plenary session in place of the former chairwoman. Rep. Joo floated hard-line measures to deter North Korea's continued provocations, even mentioning "war."
"A country being scared of war can't evade it," Joo said. "A country that thoroughly prepares for war can protect peace."
In response to Pyongyang's sixth and unprecedentedly powerful nuclear test Sunday, Joo offered hawkish options ― operating a multilayered missile defense system, redeploying U.S. tactical nuclear weapons and completing the Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation plan to target the North Korean regime.
"South Korea should be able to manage nuclear weapons directly so that the North is unable to make a nuclear attack," he said.
"A multilayered missile defense system to impenetrably intercept those flying through high, medium and low altitudes merely costs 10 trillion won. The prerequisite for these options is a solid ROK-U.S. alliance."
In line with minor liberal People's Party floor leader Kim Dong-cheol's remark a day before, Joo criticized President Moon Jae-in's security officials for mishandling the ongoing crisis.
In the National Assembly's regular session last Friday, party leaders ― ruling Democratic Party Korea Chairwoman Choo Mi-ae, People's Party floor leader Kim and Bareun Party floor leader Joo ― revealed each party's idea to alleviate escalating security threats.
Choo on Monday drew fire from the opposition bloc for sticking to "dialogue," causing dissonance with Cheong Wa Dae and the international community. LKP Chairman Chung Woo-taik rejected the speech in protest against the administration.
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