Even Senior Opposition Figures Divided Over Approval or Rejection of Arrest Motion

Choo Mi-ae "Approval is Aiding Evil"
Park Ji-won "Rejection is the Beginning of Democracy"
Yoo In-tae "Lee Jae-myung's Request for Approval is Common Sense"

As the vote on the arrest motion for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, takes place in the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 21st, opinions among senior opposition politicians are divided on whether to approve or reject it.

Former Minister of Justice Chu Mi-ae urged rejection through her social media on the same day, saying, "Hesitating to reject the motion as the Democratic Party's official stance, swayed by Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon's claim that 'this is a personal corruption case from Lee's past as mayor and has nothing to do with the Democratic Party,' is like folding your arms in the face of injustice."

Former Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae attended the prosecution reform forum held at the National Assembly on the 10th and gave a presentation on the topic of 'The Contradictions and Evils of Prosecutors' Direct Investigation Authority.' Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

She added, "If the arrest motion is approved just because you dislike the disgrace of a 'shielded National Assembly,' it means becoming an accomplice to a dangerous anti-democratic, anti-rule-of-law, and anti-social outrage. This is not about Lee's personal safety. The Democratic Party must face and block the root of structural injustice to protect the people, uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and defend democracy."

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Jie-won also appealed on SNS, "I urge Democratic Party and opposition lawmakers to definitely reject the arrest motion against Lee today," calling the prosecution's warrant request "unjust opposition suppression and a political investigation that destroys democracy."

He said, "Lee created a non-session period in the National Assembly to attend the warrant hearing, but the prosecution chose the session, anticipating the court's dismissal. It was a litmus test thrown to provoke division and trial within the Democratic Party," adding, "Rejection is not shielding but the beginning of protecting democracy and a justifiable resistance."

Former Secretary General of the National Assembly Yuin-tae is giving a special lecture at the People’s Power Study Group for National Sympathy held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 9th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

On the other hand, former Secretary-General of the National Assembly Yoo In-tae emphasized on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "If the arrest motion comes, it is common sense for Lee to say, 'Please approve this. I will go and attend the substantive hearing. There is no evidence at all.' Isn't that the reasonable course of action?" stressing that Lee's request for approval is sensible.