The main opposition Democratic United Party leader Han Myeong-sook on Wednesday blasted the Lee Myung-bak administration for its corruption scandals, calling for the president’s apology and the mass resignation of his Cabinet.

“The people will no longer put up with the current administration, unless Lee apologizes and Cheong Wa Dae confesses all of its irregularities,” she said in a press conference marking her first month as party head.

“Also, the irresponsible and incompetent Cabinet should be replaced en masse.”

Over the past four years, the Lee government and the ruling Saenuri Party have almost never devised policies for low-income citizens and thus lost the public’s trust, she said.

The DUP has recently stepped up its attack against the right wing, with the April general elections nearing and the related candidate screening processes on the way.

The party was also further encouraged by its rising polls in the southern Busan and Gyeongsang regions, which have long been considered a conservative stronghold.

“The worst cases of corruption were committed by the closest aides to the president, yet the prosecution would not step out to solve the problem,” Han said.

By this, the DUP leader referred to the ongoing investigation into vote-buying allegations involving former parliamentary speaker Park Hee-tae and former senior presidential aide Kim Hyo-jae.

She also hinted at the bribery charges surrounding the president’s elder brother Rep. Lee Sang-deuk and SLS Group chairman Lee Kuk-chul.

Lee is scheduled to hold a press conference next week to mark his fourth year in office, and observers speculate that he may apologize for corruption scandals currently under investigation.

Han also took aim at Rep. Park Geun-hye, the Saenuri’s emergency leadership council chairperson and leading presidential hopeful.

“Park has assisted the Lee administration and its irregularities while keeping silent,” Han said. “She, too, is responsible for the wrongdoings of the current government.”

The chairperson also suggested the party’s policy visions for the upcoming race and pledged to achieve left-wing unity to raise the chances of election victory.

“The DUP will prioritize job creation, economic democratization, general welfare, citizen participation in politics and peninsular peace,” Han said.

Ahead of the elections it is crucial to unite the progressive camp, she added.

“The Unified Progressive Party has proposed the alliance and we are ready to respond,” she said. “Now is the time to develop the plan further.”

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