Handonghun: "If a lawmaker is sentenced to imprisonment without prison labor or higher, I will return the entire salary during the trial period"

Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, stated on the 10th, "The People Power Party will require members of the National Assembly who are on trial and receive a confirmed prison sentence without labor to return their full salary during the trial period."

Chairman Han made this announcement at the New Year's meeting of the Gyeongnam Provincial Party held at the Changwon Convention Center in Gyeongnam, saying, "We will prevent cases where lawmakers exploit trial delays by using immunity." He added, "Even if this bill does not pass due to opposition from the Democratic Party, we will require a pledge from our candidates applying for nomination in the general election to keep this promise."

After his New Year's address, Chairman Han told reporters regarding the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Act' passed solely by the opposition, "The investigative committee (Special Investigation Committee) is controlled by the opposition, and it can conduct searches, impose travel bans, and issue accompaniment orders." He criticized, "If the opposition-led investigative committee conducts investigations at a level comparable to the prosecution for one and a half years, it will divide public opinion."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He continued, "Our party did not oppose the special act itself but wanted a fair special act that would not divide public opinion, that would commemorate the victims, comfort the bereaved families, and strengthen compensation." He pointed out, "The special act passed solely by the Democratic Party does not meet these criteria." When asked whether they would recommend the president exercise the veto power, he said, "I understand that there will be careful discussions within the party."

Regarding the Special Inspector General system, he said, "Our party is prepared to consult with the Democratic Party on the recommendation of the Special Inspector General," adding, "The Special Inspector General is an existing system, so the National Assembly just needs to make the recommendation. The Moon Jae-in administration never made such recommendations throughout its term." He expressed agreement with the necessity of establishing a Second Secretariat. Chairman Han briefly responded, "The Presidential Office said it would conduct an in-depth review, so we just need to wait and see."

Regarding Bae Eun-sik, an Emergency Response Committee member, referring to the late Baekbeom Kim Gu as "the person who used to throw bombs," Han said, "I do not agree with that expression. Since he is a public figure, I expect him to be more cautious with his words and actions." At the New Year's meeting, Chairman Han said, "Gyeongnam has always presented solutions for Korea in important historical moments such as the March 15th Movement," adding, "We will solve the country's difficult issues with the spirit of Gyeongnam."