Opposition 7 Parties and Civic Groups Rally for Nationwide Assembly
Urge Reapproval of Special Prosecutor Law in Plenary Session on 28th
On the 25th, opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea held a large-scale outdoor public opinion campaign in the heart of Seoul, urging the reapproval of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act (Special Prosecutor Appointment Act for Investigating Obstruction and Concealment of the Truth Regarding the Death of a Marine).
The seven opposition parties?Democratic Party, Justice Party, New Future Party, Homeland Innovation Party, Basic Income Party, Progressive Party, and Social Democratic Party?along with civic groups and Marine Corps veterans’ organizations, gathered in front of Seoul Station for the "National Rally to Condemn the Rejection of the Marine Corps Special Prosecutor Act and Urge Its Passage."
They launched a relentless offensive against President Yoon Suk-yeol, who exercised his veto power on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act on the 21st, and insisted that the Special Prosecutor Act, which has returned to the National Assembly, must be reapproved at the plenary session on the 28th.
Given the current seat distribution, even with full cooperation from all opposition parties, the reapproval quorum falls short, so this public campaign aimed to maximize defections from the ruling People Power Party lawmakers.
The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, mobilized its leadership including Representative Lee Jae-myung, Floor Leader Park Chan-dae, and the 22nd National Assembly elected members.
In his speech, Representative Lee said, "In the last general election, we warned President Yoon and the People Power Party, but they have not changed. They continue to insult the people," adding, "If the president ignores the National Assembly’s legislative authority and violates common sense, we, the people who are the sovereign power, must judge the president again."
He continued, "There are limits to the president’s veto power," and said, "If they still do not come to their senses after being judged by the vote, do not reflect, and resist history and the people, then now the power of the people must suppress and force them to surrender."
The Homeland Innovation Party, which secured 12 seats in the April general election, also sent all its elected members to the rally. Party leader Jo Guk criticized President Yoon’s exercise of veto power, saying, "There is no other reason than fear that he and his close aides might be investigated," and called President Yoon "too cowardly and cunning."
He urged the People Power Party, "You must cast your votes in favor of the reapproval of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act at the last plenary session of the 21st National Assembly."
Some speakers directly mentioned "presidential impeachment," escalating the level of their attacks.
Yong Hye-in, Floor Leader of the Basic Income Party, said, "What does Article 65 of the Constitution say? When the president violates the Constitution or laws in the execution of duties, the National Assembly may pass a resolution to impeach," and argued, "If it is true that President Yoon abused his office to interfere with investigations, this is grounds for presidential impeachment."
Yoon Hee-sook, Co-chair of the Progressive Party, said, "It is President Yoon himself who turned the death of the Marine Corps member into a presidential impeachment issue that angers the people," and added, "The private abuse of veto power is a serious constitutional violation and grounds for impeachment."
The Reform New Party supports the passage of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act but did not participate in the rally. A party official said, "The Special Prosecutor Act should be reapproved, but we find it difficult to agree with the 'street politics' approach to enforce it."
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