Opposition Parties Jointly Urge Acceptance of Special Prosecutor Law for Sergeant Chae Sang-byeong
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, once again urged President Yoon Suk-yeol to accept the special prosecution law on the investigation into the Sergeant Chae case (Sergeant Chae Special Prosecution Law). The Democratic Party pressured that if President Yoon exercises his veto power against the Sergeant Chae Special Prosecution Law, it would be met with public resistance.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the 20th, through a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Lee said, "There are reports that President Yoon told newly elected lawmakers of the People Power Party to use the presidential veto as a bargaining chip," adding, "This incited a full-scale confrontation with the opposition party at a time when plans and tasks to heed the public sentiment from the general election were to be discussed." He continued, "He said he would respect the public sentiment from the general election, but it is incomprehensible why he only goes against the will of the people," and pointed out, "He must accept the Sergeant Chae Special Prosecution Law and prove the beginning of change through actions, not words."
President Yoon is expected to exercise his veto power on the Sergeant Chae Special Prosecution Law at the Cabinet meeting scheduled for the 21st. At a press conference marking his second anniversary in office on the 9th, President Yoon hinted at exercising the veto by stating, "Considering the purpose of the special prosecution, it is right to first trust and observe the ongoing investigation, judicial procedures, and the mindset and attitude of those involved in the investigation."
Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "If President Yoon exercises his veto, it would be tantamount to a declaration of war against the people and the opposition," adding, "If he goes against the people's demand to uncover the truth behind the unjust death and the reality of external pressure, public resistance will inevitably follow." He also emphasized, "If he fails to learn any lessons from the crushing defeat in the general election and continues to act unilaterally, it will only hasten the downfall of the administration," urging, "We repeatedly call on him not to fight against the people but to comply with their will."
Meanwhile, the opposition parties plan to demand President Yoon's acceptance of the Sergeant Chae Special Prosecution Law through joint action. The opposition floor leadership, including the Democratic Party, will hold a joint press conference in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the same day to urge acceptance of the law. Attendees include Floor Leader Park, Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the Innovation Party, Jang Hye-young of the Justice Party, Yoon Jong-oh, elected member of the Progressive Party, and Yong Hye-in of the Basic Income Party.
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