The main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy said Friday it has decided to seek for an impeachment of the home affairs minister for his controversial comment criticized for violating political neutrality.

Government Administration and Home Affairs Minister Chong Jong-sup reportedly chanted “must win general election” while delivering a toast during the ruling Saenuri Party lawmakers’ meeting earlier this week. 

Chong on Friday apologized for his remark and described it as a simple pleasantry that was not intended to carry any political connotation, but he refused to step down. 

The NPAD, calling the toast a flagrant violation of the elections law, said they decided to seek his impeachment to let the public know the gravity of the situation.

“We decided to propose the impeachment motion for Chong, who serves as head of the ministry that oversees the election process,” said NPAD vice floor leader Rep. Lee Choon-suk.

Korea’s Constitution stipulates that lawmakers can propose an impeachment motion against a cabinet member if one-third of the lawmakers endorse it. The motion is referred to the Constitutional Court to be determined after more than half of the 298 lawmakers vote in favor.

NPAD is likely to take the motion to the floor as it holds 129 seats, more than the one-third of seats needed for initiating the impeachment process. But the motion is less likely to pass the National Assembly as the Saenuri Party holds a majority 159 seats.

This isn’t the first time Chong has come under fire for a gaffe. In 2014, the former constitutionalist referred to a deadlocked parliamentary negotiation over a legislation process as a “situation where the National Assembly should be dissolved under a parliamentary system,” causing the opposition lawmakers to fire back. 

By Yeo Jun-suk (jasonyeo@heraldcorp.com)