The People Power Party on the 24th submitted as a party line a motion recommending the dismissal of Minister Chung Dong-young of the Ministry of Unification.
Senior floor spokespersons Kwak Kyu-taek and Park Chung-kwon on the morning of the day filed with the National Assembly's bill office, in the name of all party lawmakers, a motion titled "Motion to recommend the dismissal of Cabinet member Chung Dong-young, Minister of the Ministry of Unification," as joint representatives.
The People Power Party cited as grounds for the dismissal recommendation that the Minister, without coordination with relevant ministries, unauthorizedly disclosed information on uranium enrichment facilities when forming a North Korea dossier, advocated restoring the Sept. 19 military agreement without principles, and repeatedly pushed an unconstitutional two-state theory.
It also took issue with pushing a bill to limit the jurisdiction of the United Nations Command (UNC) within the DMZ and disclosing unverified information, including the estimate that North Korea has accumulated 2,000 kg of highly enriched uranium.
Senior spokesperson Kwak said, "It is a situation where the Minister must be held accountable through a dismissal motion and impeachment," adding, "Even if it does not pass because it is blocked by the Democratic Party, the majority party, the act of forgetting one's duties as a Cabinet member must receive a political judgment through a dismissal recommendation."
People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok also held a press briefing at the National Assembly on the day and said, "Regarding the Minister's leak of sensitive information, we met yesterday with James Heller, the acting U.S. ambassador to Korea, together with lawmakers to once again check the mood on the U.S. side," adding, "The U.S. side believes that for Korea-U.S. intelligence sharing to resume, firm assurances and commitments are needed that such irresponsible information leaks will not recur."