Park Chan-dae: "Yoon's 'Blind Veto' Is a Declaration of Dictatorship"

100-Day Press Conference of the Democratic Party Floor Leader
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Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that "the president's 'blind veto exercise' is a rejection of democracy and a declaration of dictatorship, refusing to follow the will of the people."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 8th to mark 100 days since his inauguration as floor leader, Park strongly criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol for using his veto power (request for reconsideration) 15 times. He emphasized, "It is never normal for the president's veto exercise to become a 'constant,'" adding, "The veto power should be exercised restrictively." He also pointed out, "The president's continuous rejection of bills passed by the National Assembly is ignoring the legislative authority of the Assembly," and questioned, "If that's the case, why hold elections and why have the National Assembly at all?"

Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (third from the left), is speaking at the '100 Days in Office Press Conference' held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 8th. Kang Yoo-jung, Floor Spokesperson (from the left), Kim Yong-min, Deputy Chief of Floor Policy, Park, Floor Leader, Park Sung-jun, Deputy Chief of Floor Operations, and Jung Jin-wook, Secretary to the Floor Leader, attended.
/Photo by Oh Ji-eun

He continued, "Over the past 100 days, when the opposition proposes bills, the ruling party opposes them blindly, the president exercises 'blind veto' on bills passed by the Assembly, and the Assembly re-deliberates but the bills are ultimately discarded, creating a vicious cycle," adding, "While this can be criticized from a balanced perspective, the fundamental cause lies in President Yoon's one-way approach." Furthermore, he said, "To restore politics, especially the president's attitude must change," and "The president must show sincerity in overcoming the economic and livelihood crises."

Park defined this situation as an 'abuse of veto power' and demanded that the ruling party, the People Power Party, join in checking President Yoon. He stated, "Even the ruling party should control the president's indiscriminate abuse of veto power, but the People Power Party is only watching the power and catering to the mood of Yongsan (the Presidential Office)." He also said, "The People Power Party, as a member of the legislative branch, should be able to criticize the president's infringement on legislative authority," and pointedly asked, "In such a situation, can dialogue, compromise, or cooperation really be possible?"

Regarding the 'Special Investigation Act for Marine Corps Members' that the Democratic Party announced for the third time, Park urged the government and the ruling party to support its passage. He explained, "The Democratic Party will soon reintroduce the Special Investigation Act for Marine Corps members," adding, "This third version of the special investigation act will explicitly specify the criminal charges revealed so far as subjects of investigation." He further urged, "Since Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, and even within the People Power Party recognize the necessity of the special investigation act, this time we urge the president and the People Power Party not to oppose but to accept it."