Park Chan-dae: "Yoon Seok-yeol, Veto Power Has Become a Habit... Only Possible in a Dictatorial Regime"

Democratic Party Adopts Party Positions on Grain Management Act, Agricultural and Fishery Products Act, and Hanwoo Act

Park Chan-dae, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol for hinting at a veto on the Yellow Envelope Act (Amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act) and the 250,000 Won Support Act (Special Measures Act for Overcoming the Livelihood Crisis), saying, "The veto has become a habit."

Park Chan-dae, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at a members' meeting held before the plenary session at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

At a party meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 5th, Acting Leader Park said, "President Yoon, the government, and the ruling party are not only obstructing the opposition but also holding back the livelihood and the people," adding, "It seems the government and ruling party do not hear the suffering of the people groaning under the economic crisis."

He continued, "The president's veto, which should be exercised with caution, has now become a habit," pointing out, "He has already used his veto 15 times, and if he vetoes the four broadcasting laws (Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act, and the Act on the Establishment of the Korea Communications Commission), the 250,000 Won Support Act, and the Yellow Envelope Act, it will amount to a total of 21 vetoes."

He also mentioned the large-scale communication surveillance by the prosecution. Acting Leader Park said, "It has been revealed that the political prosecution under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration conducted communication surveillance on thousands of people, including former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, opposition politicians, and journalists," adding, "They blatantly carried out illegal political surveillance. This is a serious issue that cannot be overlooked."

Furthermore, he emphasized, "The president, who should be working with the opposition for the people, not only abuses his veto power but also conducts communication surveillance, making it impossible to properly govern," and stressed, "Refusing to pass bills approved by the National Assembly as if throwing a tantrum is something only possible in a dictatorship."

Meanwhile, through the party meeting, the Democratic Party adopted three bills as party positions: the Grain Management Act, the Agricultural and Marine Products Price Stabilization Act, and the Korean Beef Industry Support Act. Acting Leader Park said, "We will discuss with the members and gather wisdom to decide on promoting these as party positions," and added, "Although it will be a tough march until the August extraordinary session, please join us on the path to set the Republic of Korea right and to care for the lives of the people."