PPP Criticizes Sudden Dismissal of Trade Chief as "Absurd," Demands Explanation

The People Power Party (PPP) criticized the sudden dismissal of former Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, asking, "How can there be such an absurd operation of state affairs?"

"Can we leave a key position responsible for negotiating with foreign countries on the line of national interest vacant like this without even explaining a specific reason?" PPP Spokesperson Cho Yong-sul said in a commentary.

"The Lee Jae-myung administration promised a 350-billion-dollar investment in the United States last year without national consensus, and is now facing pressure from the US to speed up its implementation," Cho said. "Yet, they suddenly fired the chief commander responsible for those negotiations without any explanation."

"The government is keeping its mouth shut, saying it was 'the decision of the appointing authority' without revealing specific reasons for the dismissal. What kind of secret did they want to hide?" he urged, demanding, "Clearly explain to the public why the trade commander was replaced without an alternative in the middle of trade negotiations with the US."

Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok also posted on Facebook, expressing concern, "Reports are emerging about pressure from the Trump administration regarding US investments, and amid that, the government sacked Head Yeo Han-koo." He added, "Regardless of the reason for the dismissal, it is a measure that the US side will inevitably misunderstand."

"Immediately select a successor to the trade minister to ensure there is no vacuum in negotiations with the US," Lee said. "If a crack forms in diplomacy with the US, it will deal a blow to the South Korean economy greater than the stock market turmoil we experienced a few weeks ago."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.