Board of Audit and Inspection Chair Cho Jae-hae speaks to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) attempt to impeach the state auditor chief and prosecutors is drawing backlash from ruling party lawmakers and political commentators, who say that the DPK is exploiting its majority to play party politics, according to political pundits Friday.

The DPK, which holds 170 of the 300 Assembly seats, said it would propose an impeachment motion against Board of Audit and Inspection Chair Cho Jae-hae and three prosecutors, including Lee Chang-soo, chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office (SCDPO), during a plenary session of the National Assembly on Monday. By law, an impeachment motion must be put to a plenary vote within 24 to 72 hours after being reported to the first general Assembly session following its proposal.

“The grounds for the impeachment include the controversy over Choe's audit of the presidential residence relocation and alleged violation of the Act on Testimony and Appraisal Before the National Assembly, such as failing to submit requested materials during the parliamentary hearings,” Rep. Noh Jong-myun, spokesperson for the DPK, said.

The opposition's push to impeach prosecutors came after the prosecution's decision not to indict first lady Kim Keon Hee over her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme.

Choe, addressing the DPK, said he will not resign.

“I express deep regret over the opposition party's impeachment attempt, which is deemed political and undermines the constitutional order. I have no intention of resigning,” he told reporters Friday.

Deputy chief prosecutors from the SCDPO issued a joint statement Friday, urging the DPK to stop the abusive attempts to impeach prosecutors.

“The main opposition's attempt to impeach prosecutors simply because the investigation results are not to their liking may set a wrong precedent that abuses the democratic legitimacy,” the statement said.

If the impeachment motion passes the National Assembly, Choe will be suspended from duty until the Constitutional Court decides whether to endorse or reject the motion, a process that usually takes a few months.

Rep, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, speaks during the party's Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Political commentators said a court ruling on Monday that cleared DPK Chairman Rep. Lee Jae-myung of charges that he forced a former mayoral secretary to commit perjury boosted the party's confidence to intensify its anti-government campaigns. However, they said the DPK's move seems unlikely to woo moderates.

“The DPK's move comes under the notion that the ruling People Power Party (PPP) holds greater power and responsibility. It believes that the public will blame the PPP more than the DPK and thinks that pushing for impeachments won't worsen public opinion. Although its efforts to impeach prosecutors and a high-profile agency head can unite the DPK's hard-core supporters, moderate voters may move away from the party,” political commentator Kim Sang-il said.

“In a democracy, procedures are important. If you go beyond procedures just because you have power, it is highly likely that it will lead to abuse of power. Impeachment must be the last resort,” he added.

The PPP accused the DPK of being "addicted to impeachment."

“The DPK's attempt to shake up the government has gone too far,” PPP floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho said during the party's Supreme Council meeting Friday.

“The DPK is pushing for the impeachment of the head of the state audit agency. This is the 17th impeachment prosecution under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration and the 10th impeachment in six months since the 22nd National Assembly began. This is a reckless rampage.”

The presidential office also condemned the DPK's impeachment attempts.

A senior presidential official said, "The opposition's push to impeach chief state auditor damages constitutional order. Its attempt to impeach prosecutor is to paralyze the court system and protect the opposition party."