Voices of Self-Reflection Within Minju Call for 'Apology for Cunning Party Defection'... Leadership Says "No Discussion Held" (Comprehensive)

Park Yong-jin, Lee Won-wook "Must Apologize and Reflect"

Within the Democratic Party of Korea, voices have emerged calling for an apology from the party regarding the Constitutional Court's decision acknowledging the infringement of the National Assembly's deliberation and voting rights during the legislative process of 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights).

Park Yong-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker classified as part of the party's non-mainstream faction, stated on Facebook on the 26th, "What the Democratic Party must do from now on is to persuade the majority of the public to understand and support this direction," adding, "The party should sincerely apologize to the public for Min Hyung-bae lawmaker's cunning resignation, which was pointed out as problematic by the Constitutional Court, the nullification of the agenda adjustment committee that was meant to respect and deliberate minority opinions within the National Assembly, and the resulting infringement of the National Assembly's deliberation·and voting rights."

Lee Won-wook, a Democratic Party lawmaker from the non-Lee Jae-myung faction, also pointed out on Facebook, "The cunning resignation of a Democratic Party lawmaker (Min) during the passage of the police and prosecution investigation rights adjustment law, and the nullification procedure of the agenda adjustment committee based on the National Assembly Act, are points that must be reconsidered." He added, "When I was the chairman of the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, the Google Fair Trade Act (In-app Payment Prohibition Act) also passed the standing committee through the agenda adjustment committee," and said, "When the relevant subcommittee could not even discuss it, the agenda adjustment committee was formed according to the National Assembly Act, and I respected that."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He stated, "The Constitutional Court ruling did not declare the prosecution investigation rights adjustment law unconstitutional but raised issues regarding the legislative process," and argued, "The Democratic Party must reflect and introspect on the procedural issues raised by the Constitutional Court while making efforts to uphold the separation of powers."

However, the party leadership dismissed such criticisms, saying they are "not being discussed at all." Democratic Party spokesperson Lim Oh-kyung told reporters at the National Assembly that day, "Lawmakers are free to express their opinions," and added, "The party does not respond to every such matter internally."

In a statement, spokesperson Lim confronted Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, saying, "Minister Han, who should take responsibility for the Constitutional Court's decision and resign, is instead boldly stating that he will face impeachment if it is proposed," and added, "Minister Han must immediately stop his anti-constitutional political agitation. His denial of the Constitutional Court is nothing but shooting himself in the foot."