The People Power Party on Saturday raised the pressure on the ruling bloc, claiming Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's recent offer to resign marked the beginning of the Lee Jae Myung administration's "lame duck phase."
"The lame duck era of Lee's administration has begun," People Power Party Floor Leader Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig wrote in a Facebook post, after Jung reportedly offered to resign.
Jung offered to step down after the Democratic Party decided to adopt the abolition of prosecutors' supplementary investigation powers as its official party position, triggering speculations that the two decisions were linked.
"The Democratic Party's decision is a defeat for the government and a complete victory for the ruling party's hard-liners," Jeong added.
People Power Party Chair Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok wrote that Jung's decision reflected "the last conscience of someone who witnessed a crime scene."
As Jung had repeatedly argued that such powers were necessary to address inadequate police investigations and protect victims, his resignation offer has been interpreted as both a protest against the decision and an expression of responsibility.
"Dismantling the prosecution will inevitably lead to the dismantling of the administration," Jang added.
Jang also accused the administration of fearing President Lee Jae Myung's hard-line supporters rather than the public.
Similarly, Jeong argued that Lee has failed to restrain hard-line calls for abolition and allowed the party's more radical lawmakers to dictate government policy.
Jeong claimed the government's decision clearly contradicts with its cautious stance on abolishing supplementary investigation powers, citing Jung's resignation offer and remarks made by the vice justice minister before the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
Meanwhile, Jeong also praised Jung for demonstrating responsibility and conviction, contrasting him with presidential chief of staff for policy Kim Yong-beom and Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back. Jeong had criticized Kim over stock market policy and Ahn over allegations concerning his military record.
People Power Party spokesperson Rep. Park Sung-hoon was less sympathetic, saying Jung should have publicly urged Lee to veto the legislation and remained in office to fight it.
Park dismissed the resignation offer as "a political stunt without principle or justification."
shwang9@heraldcorp.com
