[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Regarding the passage of the arrest consent bill for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Democratic Party lawmaker Ahn Min-seok stated that the number of dissenting votes within the party would be no more than five.
On the 16th, Ahn said on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" that "Among Democratic Party lawmakers, confidence has grown recently after passing the impeachment of Lee Sang-min (Minister of the Interior and Safety)," predicting this outcome.
He added, "We must respect their judgment regarding the (five dissenting) votes," and said, "What can we do? We are neither a communist country nor an authoritarian party."
Ahn explained that the voices calling to protect Leader Lee amid the 'opposition party suppression' situation would also reduce dissenting votes. He said, "In the face of opposition party suppression, we must unite tightly. Nearly 100 of our Democratic Party lawmakers are currently taking turns staging a sit-in at the National Assembly," adding, "It is quite remarkable."
He continued, "Even if 30 or about 10 dissenting votes appear, it would require organized prior planning and execution to barely secure about 10 votes," and said, "At this critical moment when there is consensus within our Democratic Party and among supporters to protect Leader Lee Jae-myung amid opposition party suppression, those who dissent will be branded as sinners in history."
Since there is no one willing to take responsibility for dissenting votes, he said there is no need to adopt a party stance. Ahn stated, "Adopting a party stance would rather be excessive," and added, "We did not set a party stance during the previous arrest consent bill for lawmaker Noh Woong-rae. If we do not set a party stance for Noh but do so for Leader Lee, it could backfire."
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