Jo Eung-cheon "30 Democratic Party members support arrest consent for No Woong-rae... The ruling party voted against and covered it up"

"January Extraordinary Session Schedule Unrelated to Lee Jae-myung's Shielding"
"Itaewon State Audit, Absolutely Insufficient Time... Must Be Extended"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] On the 3rd, Cho Eung-cheon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that the 'ruling party' covered up the rejection of the arrest motion against lawmaker Roh Woong-rae. He stated that at least 30 members within the Democratic Party supported the arrest motion.

Cho said on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "After the rejection of the arrest motion against lawmaker Roh, I checked our party members one by one," adding, "About 30 of our party members supported the arrest motion." He continued, "(The total support was) 161 votes, and (Democratic Party members) number 169," asserting, "A significant number of ruling party members voted against the motion and pinned the blame on our party."

He also refuted the ruling party's claim that the January extraordinary session of the National Assembly was a 'shielded session.'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Cho stated, "Whether it is Seongnam FC, Daejang-dong, or the payment of lawyers' fees, none of these are related to shielding as per the schedule," countering the claim. Regarding the Seongnam FC case, for which a summons of Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is scheduled, he said, "There is little dispute over the facts, and it is a legal issue," adding, "It is not that Lee personally received money; the funds went to the club, so issuing an arrest warrant based on this is quite unreasonable." Furthermore, he said, "The Daejang-dong and lawyers' fee payment cases have not progressed enough in investigations to warrant sudden judicial action in January," emphasizing, "It has nothing to do with shielding."

He also argued that the extension of the activity period for the Itaewon disaster state audit is urgent. Cho said, "The state audit ends on the 7th, and if we hold two hearings this week, it will be over," adding, "Originally, three hearings were planned. When will the report be written, adopted, and finalized? There is absolutely not enough time."