Democratic Party Pressures People Power Party for 'Corporal Chae Special Investigation'... Jeong Cheong-rae Says "Impeachment Train Starts"

Lee Jae-myung "Attempt to Defy the People and Conceal the Truth"
Re-deliberation on the 28th... Urges People Power Party to Join in Support

After President Yoon Suk-yeol exercised his veto on the 'Special Prosecutor Act for Fallen Marine Corps Members,' the Democratic Party of Korea began pressuring the People Power Party lawmakers. While raising voices for a tough response, some top committee members even hinted at impeaching the president.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the top committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 22nd, "The president's remark that 'the one who refuses the special prosecutor is the culprit' has become a sharp arrow pointing at himself," adding, "It only fuels suspicion that the president is the one who exerted external pressure in the fallen Marine Corps case." President Yoon exercised his veto (request for reconsideration) the day before on the special prosecutor act (Special Prosecutor Appointment Act for Investigation Obstruction and Cover-up of Fallen Marine Corps Members).

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 22nd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He urged, "I call on conscientious People Power Party lawmakers to make a decision," and said, "The ruling party must now break away from bad politics that ignore the deaths of the people." He continued, "If the ruling party insists on acting as the president's bodyguards and rejects the will of the people, the People Power Party will be recorded in history as an accomplice to a ruthless regime," adding, "The National Assembly must restore the broken responsibilities of the state at the plenary session on the 28th." The special prosecutor act for fallen Marine Corps members will undergo a re-vote at the plenary session on the 28th. For passage during the re-vote, it requires the approval of more than 200 lawmakers.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also urged the ruling party to participate in the vote. Floor leader Park said, "We will mobilize all means and methods for the re-vote on the special prosecutor act for fallen Marine Corps members," and "People Power Party lawmakers should listen to the voice of conscience and participate by voting in favor." He emphasized, "Betraying the people will only lead to downfall along with the regime," and "No president has ever vetoed a special prosecutor act concerning themselves or their family."

Some top committee members hinted at impeaching President Yoon. Jeong Cheong-rae, a top committee member, referred to the impeachment ruling of former President Park Geun-hye, saying, "Isn't this situation similar to the current political climate?" and "I hope President Yoon reads the impeachment ruling of former President Park once and takes it as a lesson." Furthermore, he added, "The impeachment train is starting," and "To prevent greater misfortune for President Yoon, the National Assembly must put a brake on the president's exercise of veto." Seo Eun-sook, another top committee member, said, "We will hasten the day of the people's judgment," and attacked, "Saying we should wait for the investigation results after obstructing the investigation is something only a dictator would say."