Opposition, Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Bill Re-push with Street Protests... "Comprehensive State Affairs Corruption Gate"

The Democratic Party of Korea held a 'National Rally to Condemn the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration and Enforce the Special Prosecutor Law for Marine Corps Personnel' in front of Seoul Station on the 1st, reiterating their determination to reintroduce the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law.'

Members of the Marine Corps Reserve Regiment are protesting against the People Power Party lawmakers after the "Special Prosecutor Act on Allegations of Investigation Interference in the Death Case of Marine Corporal Chaesangbyeong," which was resubmitted as a reconsideration agenda item at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 28th, was rejected. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

After the special prosecutor law was rejected and discarded due to opposition from the ruling party during the National Assembly plenary session on the 28th of last month, the Democratic Party reintroduced the special prosecutor law as their top party agenda immediately upon the opening of the 22nd National Assembly.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, said in his speech at the rally, "It is now difficult to fight only within the National Assembly and the system. We will fight both inside and outside," signaling a parallel street protest.

He added, "People ask why we are coming out onto the streets instead of working in the National Assembly. But even if we try to work in the National Assembly, the president rejects everything," and said, "From now on, we will do our best on the front lines and fight tirelessly day and night on the streets together with the people."

He continued, "The Democratic Party will exercise the power given by the people swiftly and strongly without hesitation," and said, "Let’s fasten our seat belts tightly. The road ahead is becoming increasingly difficult."

Jang Kyung-tae, Supreme Council member, claimed, "This Marine Corps personnel special prosecutor investigation has become a special prosecutor investigation of President Yoon Seok-yeol," and argued, "President Yoon, the Prime Minister, the Chief of Security, and the Minister of the Interior and Safety directly communicated with then Minister of National Defense Lee Jong-seop, making this a comprehensive state power abuse gate of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration."

Park Ju-min, head of the Democratic Party’s 'TF for Truth Investigation of the Marine Corps Personnel Death Incident,' said, "Another concerning issue has emerged. Recently, there has been pressure on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO)," and urged, "We must pass the special prosecutor law to uncover the truth and punish those responsible."

The Party for National Renewal also held a separate 'Rally to Condemn the Rejection of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law' in front of the War Memorial near the Presidential Office in Yongsan.

Party leader Jo Guk said, "There is an old saying, Cheonrajimang, meaning that although the net of heaven and earth looks coarse, it catches everything," and stated, "The Chae Sang-byeong special prosecutor law we will submit will become Cheonrajimang, thoroughly binding and catching all those responsible for the accident and those evading investigation."

Regarding the recent revelation that President Yoon personally called former Minister Lee using his personal mobile phone, he said, "President Yoon should submit his personal smartphone to the CIO," and added, "Don’t slyly set a twenty-digit password like Han Dong-hoon; unlock it and submit it."