Nat'l Assembly passes resolution calling for expulsion of opposition lawmaker

On Wednesday, the National Assembly passed a resolution led by the ruling Democratic Party, calling for the expulsion of opposition lawmaker Rep. Lee Jin-sook. The Democratic Party proposed the resolution due to Lee's role in an event where she described the 1980 Gwangju democratization movement as a "10-day riot." This characterization of the pro-democracy uprising, which was brutally suppressed by the military at the time, has sparked political controversy.

Despite the opposition People Power Party (PPP) decision to leave the chamber once the resolution was introduced, five PPP lawmakers still voted in favor of the resolution. In response, Lee likened the National Assembly to North Korea's Workers' Party of Korea, accusing parliament of falling under the dictatorship of the Democratic Party.

However, the resolution does not affect Lee's membership; a separate motion requiring approval from at least two-thirds of all sitting lawmakers is needed for her expulsion.