South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung sparked controversy on March 19 by calling Acting President Choi Sang-mok a “dereliction of duty criminal in the act” and warning, “Any citizen can arrest him right now, so he should watch himself.” Lee criticized Choi’s delay in appointing Constitutional Court Justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, claiming both law enforcement and ordinary citizens could arrest him for dereliction of duty. However, legal experts dismissed the claim as political rhetoric with no legal basis. The ruling party condemned Lee’s remarks as “gangster-like threats.”
Lee, wearing a bulletproof vest due to assassination threats, attended a party leadership meeting at a protest camp in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. Gesturing toward the nearby government complex, he said, “Choi is working right over there, isn’t he?” and accused him of “committing a crime at this very moment by neglecting his duties.” He asserted that “any citizen or police officer can arrest him immediately.” Senior party member Han Jun-ho echoed the criticism, calling Choi’s actions “no different from aiding a party that supports treason.”
The ruling party argued Lee was inciting supporters to arrest Choi by revealing his office’s proximity to the protest site. A party official said, “With no court ruling setting a deadline for Ma’s appointment, calling it dereliction of duty and mentioning arrest is an attempt to incite private revenge.”
Lee has reportedly tightened security and reduced public appearances due to assassination threats. His remarks, delivered while wearing a bulletproof vest and calling for Choi’s arrest, appear linked to the Constitutional Court’s delay in ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment. Political observers suggest Lee and the DP are growing anxious as the court’s decision remains unscheduled.
Ruling party leaders strongly denounced Lee’s comments. People Power Party (PPP) floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said at a press conference, “For a moment, I wasn’t sure if this came from an opposition leader or a terrorist group like ISIS,” calling it “clear incitement to illegal terror.” Former ministers Won Hee-ryong and Han Dong-hoon criticized Lee’s remarks as “gangster talk” and “mob-like threats.” A senior presidential official said Choi’s security level would be raised in response.
The DP continued discussions on impeaching Choi during a late-night emergency meeting. Floor leader Park Chan-dae had issued an ultimatum the day before, demanding Choi appoint Ma by March 19, saying, “We’ve been patient enough and waited long enough.” However, some lawmakers expressed caution, arguing that impeaching Choi would bring no real benefit and questioning whether it would even lead to Ma’s appointment.
If the party proceeds, it would mark the 30th impeachment motion since President Yoon took office. Yoon and the ruling PPP argue that the Democratic Party’s repeated impeachments are paralyzing government operations. A DP official expressed concern, saying, “Pursuing impeachment against Choi, following those against President Yoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, could further alienate centrist voters.”
