Ruling party seeks legal means to keep allegedly pro-North figures out of Assembly


The ruling Saenuri Party started moves to disqualify two progressive lawmakers-elect accused of past involvement in alleged pro-North Korean organizations and election fraud.

Saenuri floor leader Lee Hahn-koo said that the party is seeking to discuss with the main opposition Democratic United Party the possibility of expelling Lee Seog-gi and Kim Jae-yeon of the Unified Progressive Party, elected under the proportional representation system.

Lee and Kim were convicted of violating the anti-communist National Security Law for their involvement in the allegedly pro-communist National Liberation group in the 1980s and ‘90s.

He said the party will conduct legal reviews to block their entry into the parliament, saying they may pose a threat to national security.

“The people are concerned about the pro-North faction joining the legislature,” said Shim Jae-chul, the ruling party’s supreme councilor, on Thursday.

“Of course, one is entitled to political freedom but these people denied the fundamental system of the Republic of Korea.”

The UPP’s decision-making body demanded earlier that the controversial figures take responsibility for the vote-rigging scandal and step down by Friday.

The lawmakers-elect, however, struck back and their backers filed for an injunction against panel chief Kang Ki-kab on Thursday.

The controversial duo also refused to elucidate on allegations that their faction is loyal to the North Korean regime.

Chung Woo-taik, another councilor of the party, suggested that the party act upon the current National Assembly Law to expel Lee and Kim, or even submit a new bill for the purpose.

Such anxiety over pro-communist lawmakers was also detected in the administration.

“The Defense Ministry will come up with means to restrict the delivery of crucial data to the parliament,” said an official on Wednesday.

“By rashly submitting national security-related data to lawmakers, we may endanger the entire military.”

The current National Assembly Law requires a two thirds-quorum of the house for an elected lawmaker to be stripped of his or her parliamentary seat.

It is doubtful, however, whether the main opposition DUP will cooperate in expelling the lawmakers.

Despite dissenting opinions within the party, the DUP may yet form a liberal coalition to up its chances in the year-end presidential election.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)