Members of a civic group calling itself "anti-communist youth group" hold a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Thursday, arranged by Rep. Kim Min-jeon of the ruling People Power Party. Captured from JTBC news

Rep. Kim Min-jeon of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) is facing criticism for supporting a controversial civic group calling itself the "anti-communist youth group," which pledges to stop investigators from detaining President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Opposition lawmakers said Friday that they are considering submitting a motion to expel the conservative lawmaker. The PPP leadership called Kim's actions "inappropriate" but were not severe enough to issue a formal penalty.

Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly on Thursday alongside the "anti-communist youth group," a civic organization made up of members in their 20s and 30s.

Though not officially launched, the group has been staging protests near Yoon's residence to protect him from being detained as investigators prepare to execute a warrant related to his botched martial law imposition on Dec. 3.

Kim Jeong-hyeon, the group's leader, expressed concerns over the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Yoon, warning that such actions could threaten the nation's constitutional order and deepen national divisions.

"We issue a stern warning against the unreasonable attempts to arrest the president," he said.

He added that the group has a sub-unit called "Baekgoldan," which would function as a "vigilante group" offering surveillance and protection for the embattled president.

The press conference immediately sparked controversy, as Baekgoldan, literally translating to "White Skull Squad," refers to a notorious combat police unit infamous for suppressing pro-democracy activists during the 1980s and the '90s.

These police officers were known for wearing white helmets and jean jackets to blend in among the demonstrators. Similarly, members of the "anti-communist youth group" wore white helmets during Thursday's press conference and at previous rallies near Yoon's residence.

Rep. Kim Min-jeon of the ruling People Power Party attends a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Dec. 14. Yonhap

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) accused Rep. Kim of trying to bring back "gangsters" into the political arena, while the minor Reform Party also criticized her for stirring political instability.

Kim issued an apology on Thursday evening, stating that she would retract the press conference.

"I apologize for not properly understanding wider views of President Yoon's young supporters and for failing to gather accurate information about the participants before arranging the press conference," she wrote on Facebook.

However, her apology failed to quell the backlash.

"We are considering introducing a motion to expel Kim for bringing individuals associated with Baekgoldan back into the National Assembly and attempting to repeat the tragic history," Rep. Kim Yong-min of the DPK said in an interview with CBS on Friday.

PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong said, "I think it was inappropriate for her to arrange a press conference when the name or the role of the group remained unclear."

But Kweon added that since Kim acknowledged her mistake and apologized, her actions do not constitute grounds for formal disciplinary action.