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Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Over 370,000 sign petition to expel Lee Jun-seok over misogynistic remark
Over 370,000 South Koreans had signed an online petition calling for Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor New Reform Party to be expelled from the National Assembly as of Sunday afternoon. The petition came after Lee cited a controversial misogynistic remark during a televised presidential debate on May 27, ahead of the June 3 presidential election. The number of people who had signed the petition stood at 375,346 as of around 5 p.m. Sunday, gaining supporters at a rapid pace just four days after it was posted on the National Assembly's petition page on June 4. The petition calls on the Assembly to review Lee's qualifications as a lawmaker and take disciplinary action against him, arguing that he 'betrayed the people's trust and damaged the dignity of a member of the National Assembly.' The petition is expected to be reviewed by the Assembly, as it garnered more than 50,000 signatures. If more than 50,000 people support a petition within 30 days of it being made public, it is considered valid and is deliberated by the relevant standing committee of the National Assembly. However, under the Constitution, expelling a member from the National Assembly requires the consent of at least two-thirds of all sitting members. The unnamed petitioner claimed that Lee, who was the New Reform Party's presidential candidate in the June 3 election, committed verbal sexual violence when he cited inappropriate language that depicted violence against women. 'Legislators are the representatives of all citizens. This means that a National Assembly member must engage in legislative activities aimed at eliminating discrimination, hatred against minorities and upholding the dignified lives of the people," the petitioner said, requesting that the National Assembly expel Lee from office for violating Article 155 of the National Assembly Act. The article stipulates that the assembly may take disciplinary action against lawmakers who violate general ethics principles for National Assembly members or rules governing their ethical practice. "But his inappropriate, violent language and his irresponsible attitude in justifying his actions severely undermined people's trust and damaged the dignity expected of a National Assembly member,' the petitioner added.
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Over 350,000 sign petition to expel Lee Jun-seok over misogynistic remark
Over 350,000 South Koreans as of Sunday morning had signed an online petition calling for the expulsion of Rep. Lee Jun-seok of the minor conservative New Reform Party from the National Assembly. The petition came after Lee made a controversial misogynistic remark during a televised presidential debate on May 27, ahead of the June 3 presidential election. The petition, posted on the National Assembly's petition page on May 28, called on the parliament to review Lee's qualifications as a lawmaker and take disciplinary action against Lee, as 'he betrayed people's trust and damaged the dignity of a member of the National Assembly.' The petition is expected to be reviewed by the Assembly, as it garnered more than 50,000 signatures. If more than 50,000 people support a petition within 30 days of it being made public, it is considered valid and is deliberated by the relevant standing committee of the National Assembly. However, under the Constitution, expelling a member from the National Assembly requires the consent of at least two-thirds of all sitting members. The unnamed petitioner claimed that Lee, who was a presidential candidate of the New Reform Party in the June 3 election, committed verbal sexual violence by using inappropriate language that depicted violence against women. 'Legislators are the representatives of all citizens. This means that a National Assembly member must engage in legislative activities aimed at eliminating discrimination, hatred against minorities and upholding the dignified lives of the people," the petitioner said, requesting the National Assembly to expel Lee from office for violating Article 155 of the National Assembly Act. The article stipulates that the assembly may take disciplinary action against lawmakers who violate general ethics principles for the National Assembly member or rules governing the ethical practice of members of the National Assembly. "But his inappropriate, violent language and his irresponsible attitude in justifying his actions severely undermined people's trust and damaged the dignity expected of a National Assembly member,' the petitioner added.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
New South Korea President unveils first batch of key nominations including PM, top aides
SEOUL: President Lee Jae-myung (pic) unveiled key nominations on his first day of presidency on June 4, including the prime minister nominee and his presidential aides, in his first briefing to reporters after entering the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. At a briefing room of the presidential office, Lee announced that he had picked four-term Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Rep Kim Min-seok as the nominee for the prime minister of South Korea. Lee said Kim, 61, was the right fit for the position, which Lee described as 'a mediator between the Cabinet and people'. Lee touted Kim's vast experience in politics, capability to execute policies to improve people's quality of life and expertise in handling international affairs. Kim has served as the senior member of the Democratic Party's supreme council since Lee chaired the party. Recently, Mr Kim was one of the co-chairs of Lee's presidential campaign team. Under the National Assembly Act, Kim may serve as both the prime minister and a lawmaker, so he may retain his parliamentary seat. In addition, Lee Jong-seok was nominated as the chief of the National Intelligence Service, the spy agency of South Korea. The 67-year-old would be the right person to safeguard South Korea's national interest in the face of international trade fluctuations, President Lee said. The NIS chief nominee formerly served as the minister of unification and led the standing committee of South Korea's National Security Council during the late former liberal president Roh Moo-hyun's term. President Lee described him as capable of seeking a breakthrough from the strained relationship between the two Koreas. Before the liberal president's final approval, Kim Min-seok and Lee Jong-seok's nominations would require a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, where the major liberal party holds the majority of seats. Three-term Democratic Party lawmaker Rep Kang Hoon-sik, 51, was tapped as the presidential chief of staff. President Lee's office also stated that Kang became the first chief of staff to have been born in 1970 or later, which would allow the Lee administration to add speed to its handling of state affairs. Kang has represented the Asan-B constituency in South Chungcheong Province since 2016. Rep Wi Sung-lac of the Democratic Party was picked as the national security adviser for the liberal president. Wi was formerly the South Korean ambassador to Russia. President Lee's office said Wi played a crucial role in crafting the president's campaign pledges on foreign affairs and national security. Both Kang and Wi were to lose their positions as members of the National Assembly. Lee also named Rep Kang Yu-jung of the Democratic Party as the presidential spokesperson, and tapped Hwang In-kwon, a former four-star army general, as the new leader of the Presidential Security Service. President Lee told reporters that all the figures he nominated are not only loyal to the people, but also competent, adding that these two personality traits would continue to be the barometer for his future nominations. The president also said during the briefing that he would not rush to nominate ministers related to South Korea's economy and industry, or carry out an overhaul of the organisation of the presidential office. - The Korea Herald/ANN
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
South Korean president unveils 1st batch of key nominations including prime minister, top aides
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung (back row, third from right) speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul on June 5. PHOTO: EPA-EFE President Lee Jae-myung unveiled key nominations on his first day of presidency on June 4 , including the prime minister nominee and his presidential aides, in his first briefing to reporters after entering the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. At a briefing room of the presidential office, Mr Lee announced that he had picked four-term Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Rep. Mr Kim Min-seok as the nominee for the prime minister of South Korea. Mr Lee said Mr Kim, 61, was the right fit for the position, which Mr Lee described as 'a mediator between the Cabinet and people'. Mr Lee touted Mr Kim's vast experience in politics, capability to execute policies to improve people's quality of life and expertise in handling international affairs. Mr Kim has served as the senior member of the Democratic Party's supreme council since Lee chaired the party. Recently, Mr Kim was one of the co-chairs of Mr Lee's presidential campaign team. Under the National Assembly Act, Mr Kim may serve as both the prime minister and a lawmaker, so he may retain his parliamentary seat. In addition, Mr Lee Jong-seok was nominated as the chief of the National Intelligence Service, the spy agency of South Korea. The 67-year-old would be the right person to safeguard South Korea's national interest in the face of international trade fluctuations, President Lee said. The NIS chief nominee formerly served as the minister of unification and led the standing committee of South Korea's National Security Council during the late former liberal president Roh Moo-hyun's term. President Lee described him as capable of seeking a breakthrough from the strained relationship between the two Koreas. Before the liberal president's final approval, Mr Kim Min-seok and Mr Lee Jong-seok's nominations would require a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, where the major liberal party holds the majority of seats. Three-term Democratic Party lawmaker Rep. Kang Hoon-sik, 51, was tapped as the presidential chief of staff. President Lee's office also stated that Mr Kang became the first chief of staff to have been born in 1970 or later, which would allow the Lee administration to add speed to its handling of state affairs. Mr Kang has represented the Asan-B constituency in South Chungcheong Province since 2016. Rep. Wi Sung-lac of the Democratic Party was picked as the national security adviser for the liberal president. Mr Wi was formerly the South Korean ambassador to Russia. President Lee's office said Mr Wi played a crucial role in crafting the president's campaign pledges on foreign affairs and national security. Both Mr Kang and Mr Wi were to lose their positions as members of the National Assembly. Mr Lee also named Rep. Kang Yu-jung of the Democratic Party as the presidential spokesperson, and tapped Mr Hwang In-kwon, a former four-star army general, as the new leader of the Presidential Security Service. President Lee told reporters that all the figures he nominated are not only loyal to the people, but also competent, adding that these two personality traits would continue to be the barometer for his future nominations. The president also said during the briefing that he would not rush to nominate ministers related to South Korea's economy and industry, or carry out an overhaul of the organisation of the presidential office. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Korea Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
Lee Jae-myung unveils 1st batch of key nominations including prime minister, top aides
President Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday unveiled key nominations on his first day of presidency, including the prime minister nominee and his presidential aides, in his first briefing to reporters after entering the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. At a briefing room of the presidential office, Lee announced that he had picked four-term Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Rep. Kim Min-seok as the nominee for the prime minister of South Korea. Lee said Kim, 61, was the right fit for the position, which Lee described as "a mediator between the Cabinet and people." Lee touted Kim's vast experience in politics, capability to execute policies to improve people's quality of life and his expertise in handling international affairs. Kim has served as the senior member of the Democratic Party's supreme council since Lee chaired the party. Recently, Kim was one of the co-chairs of Lee's presidential campaign team. Under the National Assembly Act, Kim may serve as both the prime minister and a lawmaker, so he may retain his parliamentary seat. In addition, Lee Jong-seok was nominated as the chief of the National Intelligence Service, a spy agency of South Korea. The 67-year-old would be the right person who can safeguard South Korea's national interest in the face of international trade fluctuations, President Lee said. The NIS chief nominee formerly served as the minister of unification and led the standing committee of South Korea's National Security Council. President Lee described him as a figure capable of seeking a breakthrough from the strained relationship between the two Koreas. Before the liberal president's final approval, the nominations of Kim Min-seok and Lee Jong-seok would require a confirmation hearing at the National Assembly, whose majority of seats are held by the major liberal party. Three-term Democratic Party lawmaker Rep. Kang Hoon-sik, 51, was tapped as the presidential chief of staff. Lee's office also stated that Kang became the first chief of staff to have been born in 1970 or later, which would allow the Lee administration to add speed to its handling of state affairs. Before the nomination, Kang has represented the Asan-B constituency in South Chungcheong Province since 2016. Rep. Wi Sung-lac of the Democratic Party was picked as the national security adviser for the liberal president. Wi was formerly the South Korean ambassador to Russia. Lee's office said Wi played a crucial role in crafting Lee's campaign pledges on foreign affairs and national security. Both Kang and Wi were to lose their positions as members of the National Assembly. Lee also named Rep. Kang Yu-jung as the presidential spokesperson, and tapped Hwang In-kwon, a former four-star army general, as the new leader of the presidential bodyguards. President Lee told reporters that all the figures he nominated are not only loyal, but also competent, adding that these two personality traits would be the barometer for his future nominations. The president also said during the briefing he would not rush to nominate ministers related to South Korea's economy and industry, or carry out an overhaul of the organization of the presidential office.
