"Democratic Party Creates Shield and Impeachment Crisis to Save Lee Jae-myung"
Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, demanded an explanation and apology regarding Speaker Woo Won-shik's expression of support for the special prosecutor bill on Corporal Chae Sang-byeong.
On the 3rd, Rep. Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Rep. Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, are returning to their seats after conversing with Speaker Woo Won-shik at the plenary session held at the National Assembly. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
At the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th, Floor Leader Choo said, "Speaker Woo expressed his hope that the special prosecutor bill on Corporal Chae Sang-byeong, which was submitted the day before, would pass and that the president would not exercise the right to request reconsideration," adding, "He directly violated the duty of neutrality as the Speaker of the National Assembly."
He pointed out, "The Speaker of the National Assembly has the duty to represent the Assembly and conduct meetings neutrally," and "It is absolutely unacceptable for the Speaker to express support for a specific bill and take the same stance as a particular party ahead of a vote while holding the position of Speaker."
Floor Leader Choo emphasized, "Interfering with the president's exclusive authority to request reconsideration (veto power) is a denial of the separation of powers and the constitutional system," and "We strongly regret Speaker Woo's violation of the duty of neutrality and his remarks undermining the separation of powers. We demand an explanation and apology from Speaker Woo."
Speaker Woo had expressed support for the special prosecutor bill on Corporal Chae Sang-byeong during the plenary session of the National Assembly the day before, stating, "Although it has been almost one year since Corporal Chae died in the line of duty, clear responsibility and truth regarding his death have not been established," and "Since more than 60% of the public already supports the introduction of a special prosecutor law for the fallen marine, the National Assembly must now conclude this matter."
Floor Leader Choo also criticized the Democratic Party's legislative dominance. He said, "The 22nd National Assembly, which has been in session for 36 days until today, has been filled with the Democratic Party's impeachment obsession and legislative dictatorship," and "The Democratic Party has attempted to seize control of the administration, judiciary, and media with the power of the overwhelming majority to protect Representative Lee Jae-myung and create an impeachment political situation."
He added, "The Democratic Party is abusing the power of the National Assembly with reckless impeachments against prosecutors, judges, ministers, and the chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, who stand in the way of the administration and judiciary," and "Now they are even openly talking about impeaching the president. The irrational actions of the Democratic Party are undermining the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea."
Furthermore, Floor Leader Choo said, "The Democratic Party should review one by one the 13 hasty impeachment motions they have filed during the two years of the Yoon Seok-youl administration," adding, "All of them have been withdrawn, dismissed, or are expected to be dismissed. The baseless impeachment motion against prosecutors recently filed is also expected to be dismissed as a matter of common sense."
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