Flood of 'Donation Refund Posts' Directed at Justice Party Blocking 'Geomsu Wanbak'

Justice Party Adopts 'Opposition to Complete Prosecution Reform' as Party Policy
Criticism Continues on Justice Party Website: "Are You Really a Progressive Party?"
"Saved Allowance and Part-Time Pay to Donate"... 'How to Refund Donations' Shared on SNS

Ye Young-guk, leader of the Justice Party, is speaking at the leadership meeting held on the 14th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] As the Justice Party expressed opposition to the legislative push for 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of the prosecution's investigative authority), which centers on separating the prosecution's investigative and prosecutorial powers, backlash against the Justice Party is spreading, including movements to request refunds of donations.

On the 15th, numerous posts protesting the Justice Party's opposition to 'Geomsu Wanbak' were posted on the Justice Party's website 'Citizen Proposal' board. Earlier, on the 11th, Justice Party leader Yeo Young-guk expressed that it was 'difficult to agree' with the Democratic Party's push for Geomsu Wanbak, and on the 13th, the Justice Party announced its opposition to Geomsu Wanbak.

On the same day, the Justice Party held a joint meeting attended by the leadership and lawmakers, deciding to urge the withdrawal of the forced passage, stating, "While we fundamentally agree with the separation of the prosecution's investigative and prosecutorial powers, forcibly pushing it through after the first adjustment of police and prosecution investigative rights will inevitably cause greater adverse effects."

On the 15th, numerous posts protesting the Justice Party's official stance against the 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority' were uploaded on the Justice Party's website under the 'Citizen Proposals' board. Photo by Justice Party website capture.

After the Justice Party voiced opposition to 'Geomsu Wanbak,' Mr. A, who left a post on the Justice Party's website, said, "I am curious about what exactly the Justice Party pursues," adding, "Regardless of conservative or progressive, you claim to represent the common people and labor, but there is no comment on Yoon Seok-yeol's 120-hour workweek or the abolition of the minimum wage. Why and for what purpose does this party exist?"

He continued, "A certain chief prosecutor committed drunk driving and assault but was released without any punishment because of his status as a prosecutor. Do you consider such prosecution normal?" and raised his voice, saying, "(The prosecution opposes Geomsu Wanbak) because if investigative rights are separated, the prosecution will lose its preferential treatment and opportunities to earn hundreds of billions."

Mr. B, who once identified himself as a Justice Party member and a delegate from Jongno District, said, "I joined and actively participated in the Justice Party, not the Democratic Party, believing that the growth and success of a small party would lead to the development of democracy," adding, "Even when Shim Sang-jung and Lee Jeong-mi made mistakes, I did not criticize them because of affection. But seeing them oppose prosecution reform, I could not hold back my anger."

On social media (SNS), movements opposing the Justice Party's stance on Geomsu Wanbak are emerging, including sharing 'how to get a refund for Justice Party donations.' After the last presidential election, when Shim Sang-jung, then the Justice Party's presidential candidate, recorded a low vote share of 2.37% and thus did not receive election cost reimbursement from the government, progressive-leaning women in their 20s and 30s who could not vote for her organized a 'donation relay' to support the Justice Party.

After the Justice Party expressed its opposition to the 'complete revision of prosecution investigation,' methods for refunding donations to the Justice Party are being shared on social networking services (SNS).
Photo by Twitter.

Regarding the donation relay at the time, Park Won-seok, the Justice Party's public relations director, explained on his Facebook, "The flood of Shim Sang-jung 'Jimutmi' (short for 'sorry we couldn't protect you') donations came from 20s and 30s women who had to reluctantly vote for the lesser evil, not the best," referring to the intense competition in support rates. Progressive-leaning voters who had no choice but to vote for former Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung instead of Shim expressed their support through donations to the Justice Party, which shared the same agenda.

However, as the Justice Party opposed the Democratic Party's 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill, those disappointed with the Justice Party are now demanding refunds of their donations. Netizen C, who shared 'how to get a refund for Justice Party donations,' said, "The Justice Party is the worst. Among the funds raised by inducing guilt, there are donations from young voters who saved their pocket money and part-time job earnings," adding, "Some worry if it's okay to get a refund because the amounts are small. The Justice Party should feel guilty."

Meanwhile, although the Justice Party has taken a stance opposing 'Geomsu Wanbak,' it has reserved its position on whether to join the People Power Party's filibuster (unlimited debate) blockade.