The Democratic Party, on the opposition's call to limit the president's veto power through constitutional amendment, says "an idea that denies the Constitution" (Comprehensive)

"Nationwide 250,000 Won Payment: 'Cash Support by Borrowing Is Not a Solution'"
"Regarding Line Incident: 'We Will Act for Our Companies and National Interest'"

On the 16th, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, strongly opposed the Democratic Party of Korea's call for a 'one-point constitutional amendment' to limit the president's veto power (reconsideration request right), calling it a "notion that denies the constitution" and a "notion for anti-democratic political strife," stating that it is unacceptable.

At the emergency committee meeting of the People Power Party held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Choo said, "Limiting the veto power is a notion that denies the constitution," and urged, "Instead of causing confusion with anti-democratic political strife, the Democratic Party should engage in policy competition on how to improve the people's livelihoods."

In addition, voices criticizing the Democratic Party's push for a 250,000 won nationwide livelihood recovery support fund and the anticipated forced passage of various special prosecutor laws were raised at the emergency committee meeting.

Ruling Party Roars at Opposition over 'Nationwide 250,000 Won & Special Prosecutor Law' Aggression

While emphasizing cooperation, the People Power Party expressed concerns about the opposition's announced forceful push for the livelihood recovery support fund. Policy Committee Chair Jeong Jeom-sik said, "They plan to inject 13 trillion won of taxpayers' money to stimulate consumption and revitalize the economy, but even setting aside legal issues regarding whether it meets the supplementary budget (추경) formation requirements, fundamentally, the approach to the matter itself is wrong," adding, "In a time when people's livelihoods are difficult due to high prices and household debt burdens are heavy due to high interest rates, the idea of borrowing through a supplementary budget to provide cash support can never be a solution."

There were also claims that the essence of the opposition's push for a special prosecutor, including Chae Sang-byeong's special prosecutor, is the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol and a method to avoid the party leader's judicial risks.

Emergency Committee Member Kim Yong-tae argued about the Democratic Party and the Innovation Party's call for a special prosecutor, saying, "It is to avoid the party leader's judicial risks. This is the real reason behind their push for a special prosecutor and impeachment," adding, "They are anxious and running out of time, and the problem is that the Democratic Party is exploiting the special prosecutor. Even the Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law has been distorted by the Democratic Party, undermining the essence of fact-finding."

Emphasizing 'Economic and Livelihood Solutions' by Highlighting Line Incident, May 18, and Low Birthrate

Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is taking a commemorative photo with Emergency Response Committee members and key party officials after the appointment certificate ceremony before the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding the 'Line Yahoo' incident, the stance was to closely cooperate with the government and take action to protect the national interest of Korean companies. Floor Leader Choo explained, "Recently, the party received a report from government and Naver officials regarding the Line Yahoo issue. According to the report, the government is currently working closely with Naver and supporting it through diplomatic channels to ensure that Naver does not suffer disadvantages due to unfair or unreasonable measures by Japanese authorities."

Earlier, Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications raised the possibility in November last year that personal information of 'Line' users might have been leaked through Naver Cloud Korea and pressured Naver to present countermeasures by July 1. Since Naver and Japan's SoftBank each hold 50% of the shares of A Holdings, the parent company of Line Yahoo, the operator of the messenger application 'Line,' it is interpreted that the Japanese government pressured Naver to sell its shares in A Holdings.

Regarding this, Floor Leader Choo said, "Our People Power Party urges the government to closely monitor related companies and Japanese trends and to make every effort to ensure that our companies do not suffer disadvantages due to unfair or unjust measures by the Japanese government," emphasizing, "We will continue to actively cooperate closely with the government to protect our companies and national interests."

Two days before the 44th anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Uprising, Emergency Committee Chair Hwang Woo-yeo called it "a precious history and our asset that protected freedom, justice, human rights, and democracy," pledging, "The People Power Party will cherish the liberal democracy created through valuable sacrifices and further inherit and develop the spirit of May." On the same day, Chair Hwang held a meeting with organizations related to the democratization movement (Democratic Patriots' Families Association, Wounded Veterans Association, Meritorious Persons Association). He reiterated, "It is thanks to the noble sacrifices of the democratic spirits 44 years ago that we can enjoy universal human values today."

As President Yoon promotes the establishment of the Low Birthrate Response Planning Department and the Low Birthrate Chief Office at the Presidential Office to aim for a rebound in the birthrate, Chair Hwang also lent his support. He urged, "We must strive to create a social environment where young people can marry and start families without delay," adding, "We have an obligation to do our best to create housing, employment, childcare, and education environments for young people." In particular, Chair Hwang mentioned constitutional maternal protection, stating, "The family is the starting point of education, where character and personality are formed," and emphasized, "Raising the value of the family centered on family and maternal protection is the core platform of the People Power Party."

Party Convention Rules Should Be Quickly Established by Gathering 'Public and Party Members' Opinions

Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Regarding the People Power Party's party convention to elect the party leader, amid calls inside and outside the party to increase the proportion of public opinion polls, there were also opinions that "rules should be quickly established by gathering opinions from the public and party members." Earlier, the party's moderate faction group 'First 목회' publicly demanded changing the convention rules to "50% party member voting and 50% general public opinion poll" and transitioning to a collective leadership system.

Emergency Committee Member Jeon Ju-hye said, "First 목회 released a statement after an overnight discussion, which included opinions on the primary election rules," adding, "It is necessary to promptly gather various opinions and quickly establish rules that meet the expectations of the public and party members." Regarding the general election white paper, she said, "The white paper is not about assigning responsibility. Rather than responsibility, it should prioritize accurately identifying all processes and causes leading to the defeat in the general election and how to address them," and added, "Our emergency committee also needs to focus thoroughly on the causes and subsequent improvements."