People Power Party Holds Protests and Press Conferences Simultaneously
Displays Attachments at the National Assembly Audit
Strategy Committee Exceeds Start Time Amid Power Struggle
Members of the People Power Party are hanging placards related to the Daejang-dong preferential treatment allegations during the audit of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy at the Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Venture Business Committee held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Lee Hyun-joo] The final National Assembly audit under the Moon Jae-in administration was overshadowed by the ‘Daejang-dong scandal’ issue, causing disruptions in standing committee audits amid fierce clashes between the ruling and opposition parties. The People Power Party labeled it the ‘Lee Jae-myung Gate,’ while Lee Jae-myung’s camp called it the ‘People Power Party Gate,’ engaging in intense confrontations.
On the 5th, the People Power Party focused all efforts on the ‘Daejang-dong audit’ within the National Assembly, while also conducting public opinion campaigns outside through protests and press conferences. At a countermeasure meeting held before the audit that day, Floor Leader Kim Ki-hyun harshly criticized, "The urban development construction project carried out by Governor Lee during his time as mayor of Seongnam was a ‘corruption paradise and integrity hell.’" Regarding Lee’s camp’s denial that former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-gyu and his associates, who were arrested on the 3rd, were not connected to Lee, Kim pointed out, "The fake frame that the chief executor committed personal corruption alone no longer works." People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok also appeared on CBS Radio, stating, "(Yoo Dong-gyu) is sufficiently considered a close aide or an unofficial advisor to Governor Lee." On the 6th, the People Power Party plans to pressure Lee by organizing a walking protest led by Lee Jun-seok, calling for a special prosecutor. They also announced picket protests timed with commuting hours.
On the other hand, Lee’s camp actively defended against the opposition’s attempts to link Yoo and Lee. Park Joo-min, a lawmaker serving as the general director of Lee Jae-myung’s campaign, emphasized on KBS Radio, "There is responsibility as a commander and supervisor, so we expressed regret on that part. However, nothing has been revealed so far that Governor Lee was involved in the entire process, and we believe that will remain the case." The Democratic Party leadership also supported this claim. Shin Hyun-young, the party’s floor spokesperson, told reporters, "The Daejang-dong construction corruption issue increasingly implicates opposition figures, including the 5 billion won retirement pay of lawmaker Kwak Sang-do’s son." Emphasizing a ‘people’s livelihood audit,’ the Democratic Party plans to strongly respond to the opposition’s ‘picketing’ that delays the audit, accusing the People Power Party of turning the audit into a political battleground.
Deputy Prime Minister for Economy Hong Nam-ki attended the audit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance at the National Assembly Planning and Finance Committee held at the National Assembly on the 5th. While waiting for the audit to begin, he was talking with Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker, and Yong Hye-in, a Basic Income Party lawmaker. On this day, the audit was disrupted by People Power Party lawmakers holding placards related to the Daejang-dong development project attached to their laptops. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
As the People Power Party posted signs throughout the audit venue stating ‘Those who refuse a special prosecutor are the culprits,’ loud exchanges between the ruling and opposition parties caused repeated disruptions. In the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, People Power Party lawmaker Park Sung-min raised his voice, saying, "I don’t understand why they tremble so much and get so sensitive over a single picket sign," and asked, "What are they so afraid of?" Similar scenes unfolded in the Education Committee. When ruling party whip Park Chan-dae of the Democratic Party expressed dissatisfaction, calling it "mockery of the sacred audit," opposition whip Jung Kyung-hee responded, "There are people who always wear Sewol ferry ribbons, so I don’t think this should be misunderstood either."
The Planning and Finance Committee experienced disruptions due to the tug-of-war over the signs, delaying the scheduled start. Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker on the committee, criticized on Facebook, "It’s the first day of the Planning and Finance Committee audit, but the two parties are putting up picket signs and fighting, so we can’t even start. Are we not going to conduct the audit?" Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party showed a sign that read, "Please behave yourselves." The Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, where impeachment talks of the chairperson even surfaced and Chairperson Lee Won-wook raised his voice saying, "What kind of unruly behavior is this?" recessed just 22 minutes after starting.
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