From Extra-Parliamentary Struggle to Overnight Sit-in
Full Mobilization for Lee Jae-myung Investigation Response and Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Push
Spokesperson Kim Ui-gyeom, Counter-Accusation Against Kim Geon-hee
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As the prosecution's investigation into Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, intensifies, the Democratic Party is mobilizing all its personnel to escalate its struggle against the government. In addition to the planned street protests on the 4th, the party launched the internal ‘Kim Geon-hee Stock Manipulation Truth-finding TF’ on the afternoon of the 1st as a countermeasure.
On the 1st, Floor Leader Park Hong-geun announced plans to push for a special prosecutor investigation into Mrs. Kim Geon-hee during a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly. Park said, "Many new facts and circumstances have emerged during the first trial process," adding, "We have no choice but to scrutinize the matter in some way, and the sentencing date for former Deutsche Motors Chairman Kwon Oh-soo is February 10th, so the impact will vary depending on the outcome." He continued, "It is important to gather consensus on the need for public discussion within the National Assembly," and said, "We will proceed with the procedures based on the National Assembly Act or related regulations."
That morning, the party’s Supreme Council members targeted the prosecution during the Supreme Council meeting by mentioning the investigation into former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae’s corruption allegations and the stock manipulation suspicions involving Mrs. Kim Geon-hee. Supreme Council member Lim Seon-sook pointed out reports that the prosecution is focusing its investigation on the connection between former Chairman Kim and Leader Lee, saying, "The prosecution is fabricating facts by piecing together former Chairman Kim’s statements," and added, "Political prosecutors are considering what carrots and sticks to use on former Chairman Kim to create a connection with Leader Lee."
Supreme Council member Park Chan-dae said, "The prosecution must root out unfair trading offenders as instructed by President Yoon Seok-yeol," and urged, "Immediately summon Mrs. Kim, and if she refuses, issue an arrest warrant. Investigate this like a typical stock manipulation case." On the same day, Supreme Council members Seo Young-kyo, Jang Kyung-tae, and Jeong Cheong-rae also mentioned the stock manipulation allegations against Mrs. Kim and unanimously called for an investigation.
Government Condemnation Rally at Seoul City Hall on the 4th
Since the prosecution notified Leader Lee of a second summons related to the Daejang-dong allegations on the 28th of last month, the party leadership has been strengthening its struggle line. The Democratic Party announced it will hold a government condemnation rally in front of Seoul City Hall on the 4th. It is reported that a full mobilization order has been issued to party leaders, lawmakers, regional committee officials, party staff, and party members for the rally. Leader Lee, who had previously avoided public responses, also called for participation via Facebook the day before, saying, "We will block the terror politics of the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecutor dictatorship regime and protect the lives of the people."
On the afternoon of the 1st, the Democratic Party also launched a truth-finding TF regarding the stock manipulation allegations against Mrs. Kim Geon-hee. The TF is expected to discuss response measures, including the introduction of a special prosecutor for Mrs. Kim’s allegations, at its first public meeting that day. The party is also considering upgrading the TF to a ‘Dan’ level to strengthen efforts to push for a Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor. Additionally, the Democratic Party announced plans to countersue the Presidential Office on the 3rd for false accusation charges against spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom, who was sued by the Presidential Office over comments related to Mrs. Kim’s stock manipulation allegations.
Cheoreomhoe Overnight Sit-in at the National Assembly Tonight
The party’s Anti-Prosecution Dictatorship Political Oppression Countermeasures Committee also took public action. From that day, lawmakers Park Beom-gye and Park Chan-dae began one-person picketing at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall, urging a special prosecutor investigation into Mrs. Kim. That morning, Lawmaker Park Beom-gye said, "Public suspicion regarding Mrs. Kim’s case is very high, and evidence is being presented one after another in court," adding, "We will continuously pursue all means and methods to enact a special prosecutor law."
The ‘Cheoreomhoe,’ a group of hardline first-term lawmakers within the party, also plans to hold an overnight sit-in and discussion starting at 8:30 p.m. at the National Assembly Rotunda Hall. About 40 members, including Cheoreomhoe members and party leadership lawmakers, will gather to discuss specific response measures related to the special prosecutor for Mrs. Kim and the dismissal of Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min.
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