Korean interior minister impeached in historic vote

National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo announces the passage of the impeachment motion against Interior Minister Lee Sang-min at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

Interior Minister Lee Sang-min became the first sitting minister to be impeached by the National Assembly in the country's modern political history on Wednesday.

The impeachment motion, which holds Lee responsible for the government’s handling of a deadly crowd crush in Itaewon in October, was passed by the liberal Democratic Party (DP) with support from the minor liberal Justice Party and Basic Income Party.

Out of 293 lawmakers present, 179 voted in favor of impeachment, while 109 voted against.

The DP holds a 169-seat majority in the National Assembly.

Lee has denied responsibility for the Oct. 29 crowd crush in the Itaewon nightlife district of Seoul that ultimately claimed the lives of 159 people and injured at least 196, arguing that the disaster could not have been foreseen by the government and that he was unaware that large gatherings take place in the area during Halloween.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung on Wednesday called Lee’s impeachment “the first step to correcting the irrationality and irresponsibility of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration.”

With his impeachment, Lee is immediately suspended from his duties until a final decision in the case has been reached by the Constitutional Court.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]