Opposition, Strongly Condemns Veto on 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act'

Park Chandae "Yoon is on the path of an incompetent dictator"
Press conference condemning veto by six opposition parties including the Democratic Party
Reform New Party absent... Cheon Haram "Convincing the ruling party comes first"

The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, held a joint press conference in the National Assembly together with civil society to condemn President Yoon Seok-yeol's second veto of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. Attending the conference were Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party; Kim Jun-hyung, Acting Leader of the Innovation Party for Justice; Kim Jae-yeon, Standing Representative of the Progressive Party; Yong Hye-in, Leader of the Basic Income Party; Han Chang-min, Leader of the Social Democratic Party; and Kim Jong-min, Co-Leader of the New Future Party. The Reform New Party did not participate.

Park Chan-dae, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "President Yoon is walking the path of an incompetent dictator," adding, "He has no intention of revealing the truth about the Chae Sang-byeong case and is only desperate to cover up his own mistakes." He further said, "We will fight to the end to clear the injustice against the young Marine Corps soldier."

The Democratic Party of Korea and six other opposition parties, along with the 'National Emergency Action Against the Veto,' held a press conference on the morning of the 10th on the steps in front of the National Assembly Main Building, condemning the exercise of the veto on the Cha Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. Photo by joy@

Before the press conference, Park said at the floor countermeasure meeting, "The Democratic Party will pass the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act without wavering, regardless of what means or methods the regime uses." The Democratic Party plans to hold a nationwide rally in Gwanghwamun on the 13th. On the 19th, the first anniversary of Chae Sang-byeong's death in the line of duty, a candlelight cultural event will be held at the National Assembly.

Jo Ji-hoon, Co-Executive Director of the Emergency Action, said at the conference, "(President Yoon) is exercising his veto based on political gains and losses," adding, "He violated the duty to prevent conflicts of interest by vetoing the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act." The Emergency Action consists of leaders from civil society organizations, including Yang Kyung-soo, Chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

Meanwhile, Cheon Ha-ram, Floor Leader of the Reform New Party, said in a phone interview, "Who doesn't know that we support the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and condemn President Yoon for exercising his veto?" He added, "We need to do more of what we can within the National Assembly." He also said, "I think it is more important to meet and persuade the People Power Party lawmakers during that time." Heo Eun-ah, Leader of the Reform New Party, also stated on May 21, after the first veto of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, "Political mistakes cannot be resolved on the asphalt," and "We should refrain from methods like street protests."

President Yoon Seok-yeol approved the request for reconsideration of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act on the 9th. When the opposition in the 22nd National Assembly presented a 'strengthened' version of the Act, he exercised his veto again, following the 21st National Assembly.