Seoul: A ruling party lawmaker on Friday introduced a resolution calling for the expulsion of 45 opposition lawmakers, accusing them of acting as "human shields" to stop the detention of former President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law bid. Rep. Park Chan-dae, who is currently running to become leader of the ruling Democratic Party, presented his resolution during a press briefing, saying the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials failed to detain Yoon at his residence in January because 45 lawmakers of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) formed a human barrier outside the compound.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Park stated that the lawmakers acted as human shields in what he described as the "Yoon Suk Yeol insurrection case." He referred to the former president's failed attempt to impose martial law in December. Park argued that these lawmakers continue to receive salaries from the National Assembly funded by taxpayers, engage in legislative activities, review the budget, and use their positions to undermine the Lee Jae Myung administration and obstruct reform efforts. Park emphasized the need to prevent individuals who he claims have undermined the Constitution from continuing to deny the democratic government's authority.
Among the 45 lawmakers involved were former PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon, former PPP floor leader Na Kyung-won, and Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun. The expulsion of a lawmaker requires approval from at least two-thirds of all sitting members of the National Assembly.