[Full Text] Choo Kyung-ho on Opposition's Impeachment Offensive: "We Must Impeach the Rumor-Mongering Forces"

Choo Kyung-ho calls the opposition's martial law allegations "rumors"
Labels repeated impeachment motions and special prosecutor bills as "legislative manipulation"

On the 5th, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, fiercely criticized the Democratic Party of Korea, which raised various suspicions including government personnel impeachment, Fukushima contaminated water, and martial law preparations, saying, "If impeachment is to be done, shouldn't these forces that plunge the Republic of Korea into confusion and division with such false rumors be impeached?" He directly criticized Park Chan-dae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who hinted at impeachment in his negotiation group representative speech the previous day by mentioning 'President Yoon Suk-yeol's dictatorship' and 'unfortunate precedent.' Although the leaders of both parties emphasized the recovery of people's livelihoods and the need to unite, the sharp exchanges between the floor leaders are expected to affect cooperation as well.

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

In the negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly plenary session that morning, Floor Leader Choo claimed, "When the Democratic Party started rumor-mongering, some left-wing-controlled broadcasters became loudspeakers and widely spread it, and the damage fell squarely on the people." He also mentioned the Democratic Party as behind the electronic wave rumors related to the mad cow disease incident involving U.S. beef, the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), and the submarine sinking rumors during the Sewol ferry disaster.

The following is the full text of Floor Leader Choo's negotiation group representative speech.

Honorable citizens,

Speaker Woo Won-shik and fellow lawmakers,

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and cabinet members,

I am Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party from Dalseong-gun, Daegu.

We, the lawmakers gathered here,

fought a fierce election battle in the general election last April,

and received the people's choice.

From early dawn to late at night, we ran through every corner of our districts,

trying to win the hearts of voters.

Bowing our heads and bending our waists to greet,

we all promised,

"We will work sincerely with a humble attitude,"

"We will change politics that only fights,"

"We will focus solely on the people and take care of their livelihoods."

But how do we look now?

The 22nd National Assembly is approaching 100 days since its inauguration.

It has been a shameful time stained with political strife and confrontation.

Dialogue and cooperation have disappeared, replaced only by harsh words and abuse of power.

Livelihood issues have had no place.

As the floor leader of the ruling party, I have been worried that we cannot continue like this,

and I have not been able to sleep peacefully even for a day.

"Legislative dictatorship by the majority party brings a crisis to democracy.

Restrain and be wary of the abuse of legislative power."

This is a warning delivered early by pioneers of democracy.

Unfortunately, our National Assembly is now heading in that direction.

Due to the power display and legislative rampage of the giant opposition party,

politics is disappearing and democracy is collapsing.

The negotiation for the organization of the National Assembly was a preview of the Democratic Party's legislative rampage.

Until now, when the first party took the Speaker position,

the second party took the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The chairmanship of the Steering Committee was continuously held by the ruling party for responsible state administration.

This organization of the National Assembly was a tradition maintained for a long time for checks and balances even amid extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties.

However, this time, the Democratic Party monopolized the Speaker, the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and the Steering Committee by leveraging its majority power.

This was a direct denial of tradition, custom, and the spirit of parliamentary democracy.

Then, they started the legislative rampage.

In the past 100 days, the opposition party has proposed seven impeachment bills, twelve special prosecutor bills, and held thirteen hearings excluding personnel hearings.

Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea government until the Moon Jae-in administration,

only 21 impeachment bills have been proposed in about 70 years.

Impeachment is an extremely exceptional emergency measure that should not be used lightly.

It is done when there are serious constitutional or legal violations.

However, the Democratic Party is recklessly throwing impeachment rights around as a tool for political strife.

What is even more deplorable is the content of the impeachment.

After successively forcing the resignation of Kim Hong-il, chairman of the Korea Communications Commission, and his acting chairman,

they impeached Commissioner Lee Jin-sook just two days after her appointment.

This is a reckless proliferation of impeachment for the sole political purpose of controlling the media.

We vividly remember what happens when the media is controlled by a specific faction.

The mad cow disease rumor that "eating U.S. beef causes holes in the brain,"

the THAAD rumor that "electromagnetic waves fry the body,"

the Sewol ferry rumor that "a submarine came and collided causing sinking,"

the Fukushima contaminated water rumor described as "nuclear terrorism and a second Pacific War,"

when the Democratic Party starts rumor-mongering like this,

some left-wing-controlled broadcasters become loudspeakers and widely spread it.

The damage fell squarely on the people.

Recently, the Democratic Party has even created and spread absurd fake news that "the government is preparing martial law."

They are treating the people like fools.

If impeachment is to be done, shouldn't these forces that plunge the Republic of Korea into confusion and division with such false rumors be impeached?

Political and malicious impeachment is not limited to this.

The Democratic Party proposed an impeachment bill against the prosecutors investigating Representative Lee Jae-myung.

A criminal suspect impeaching the investigating prosecutors is a blatant legislative outrage.

This is an unprecedented judicial outrage that shakes the rule of law from its foundation.

Is this really the appearance of a normal political party?

Has there ever been such a party in our constitutional history?

The Democratic Party's retaliatory impeachment against the prosecutor in charge of the Lee Jae-myung North Korea remittance case was unanimously dismissed by the Constitutional Court last week.

It was a stern warning against shielded targeted impeachment.

Yet, the Democratic Party has not apologized even once.

On the contrary, the Democratic Party claims that the prosecution is politically retaliating against Representative Lee Jae-myung.

I ask the Democratic Party,

Have you forgotten that most of the Lee Jae-myung cases were revealed by internal Democratic Party whistleblowers?

Have you forgotten that most of the Lee Jae-myung investigations began during the Democratic Party administration?

Not only that, the Democratic Party is trying to destroy even the judiciary system, the last bastion of democracy.

They submitted bills to obstruct the court's issuance of warrants,

to control and punish judges and prosecutors' application of laws,

and even plan to impeach judges who ruled unfavorably against Representative Lee regarding North Korea remittances.

This is intimidation of the judiciary and denial of the separation of powers.

This is legislative dictatorship never experienced in our constitutional history.

What about hearings?

They have forcibly held all kinds of distorted and illegal hearings under the names of personnel hearings, legislative hearings, and petition hearings.

They intimidated, mocked, and insulted candidates and witnesses,

engaging in abuse of power that is unbearable to watch.

The dignity of the National Assembly has fallen to the ground, and political disgust has reached its peak.

The ruling party's forced passage of political strife bills is also clear political tyranny.

Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, seven bills have been passed unilaterally by the giant opposition party without bipartisan agreement.

The People Power Party had no choice but to conduct unlimited debates to inform the public of the problems with the bills pushed by the giant opposition party.

Following our party's recommendation, the president exercised the right to request reconsideration.

Then the opposition party fiercely criticized this.

If the Democratic Party had not engaged in unilateral legislative rampage,

and if the bills were passed through bipartisan agreement,

why would the president exercise the veto power?

The president's right to request reconsideration exists in the Constitution to check the legislative branch's unilateral actions.

Going forward, the People Power Party will resolutely fight against the giant opposition party's rampage of reckless special prosecutors and intimidation through impeachment.

Together with the people, we will protect democracy,

and uphold the constitutional order of separation of powers.

■ Let's promote the 'Bipartisan Livelihood Consultative Body' and 'Livelihood Legislation Fast Track.'

Honorable citizens,

lawmakers of both parties,

In the past 100 days of the National Assembly, which has turned into a battlefield of political strife,

there was no place for people's livelihoods.

What truly frustrates and frightens me is

that the Democratic Party's legislative rampage shows no end in sight.

This is because the ultimate background of the current political regression and extreme confrontation

is Representative Lee Jae-myung's judicial risk.

Why does the Democratic Party ignore people's livelihoods and keep talking about impeaching the president,

engaging in extreme confrontation?

It is to defend Representative Lee Jae-myung's judicial risk,

and the wise people know this well.

However, our politics and the National Assembly cannot continue like this.

We cannot waste even the regular session, when we should be harvesting the year's work, on political strife.

I request Representative Lee Jae-myung,

please let the Democratic Party break free from the shackles of a shielded party.

Respond confidently to the investigations and trials on a personal level.

Instead, the Democratic Party must escape the quagmire of a shielded party captured for the sake of one person, Representative Lee.

That is the only way our politics and the National Assembly can escape political strife and normalize.

Representative Lee also claims innocence.

If so, instead of dragging the Democratic Party into obstructing investigations and trials,

it is only natural to order swift investigations and trials to prove innocence.

The people do not want to see special prosecutors or impeachment against investigating prosecutors, or intimidation of judges,

which are judicial obstructions.

What they want to know is the truth.

I hope the Democratic Party regains its role as a public party,

and makes a decision to normalize our National Assembly.

Lawmakers of both parties,

On the 28th of last month, the National Assembly passed 28 livelihood bills, including the 'Support Act for Victims of Jeonse Fraud,' by bipartisan agreement in the plenary session.

This is the first time since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly.

It is truly embarrassing to the people, but at least it is fortunate.

Since we have nurtured the precious sprout of bipartisan cooperation,

we must now cultivate it well and lead it to a bountiful harvest.

I propose to the opposition parties including the Democratic Party,

to put aside political strife during this regular session,

and devote all efforts and sincerity to addressing pressing livelihood and economic issues and preparing for the future.

To this end, let's promptly form a 'Bipartisan Consultative Body' for livelihood bill discussions.

Along with this, let's introduce a 'Livelihood Legislation Fast Track.'

This means classifying non-contentious livelihood bills with little disagreement between parties separately and processing them quickly.

Through the 'Bipartisan Livelihood Consultative Body' and 'Livelihood Legislation Fast Track,'

let's speedily process livelihood bills.

■ I propose enacting the 'National Assembly Members' Ethics Practice Act.'

Lawmakers of both parties,

I often hear from the people,

"Aren't lawmakers more educated and better than us? But politicians use harsh language that even people like us don't use. It's embarrassing that such people represent us."

When I recently visited livelihood sites, I heard similar remarks again.

I could barely hold my head up.

How long must our politics endure such criticism?

The best way is for us to restrain ourselves and uphold norms.

Therefore, we created the 'Code of Ethics for National Assembly Members,'

and have been operating the 'Special Ethics Committee.'

However, this alone is insufficient to gain the people's trust.

Therefore, I propose enacting the 'National Assembly Members' Ethics Practice Act.'

Let's integrate the scattered ethical regulations,

and concretize the abstract and declarative ethical rules into law.

Let's strongly sanction bad lawmakers who damage honor with harsh language, verbal abuse, personal attacks, spreading false information, baseless slander, and unconstitutional legislative proposals aimed at political strife.

The British and American parliaments strongly sanction hateful and hostile expressions,

and the German parliament excludes defamation or insulting remarks from immunity privileges, which are good examples.

Our National Assembly should also maintain dignity and enhance ethical responsibility.

I ask for active support from fellow lawmakers.

■ We will promote four key policies for livelihood stabilization.

- Protecting vulnerable groups, supporting small business owners and self-employed, strengthening youth support, and easing tax burdens on the middle class

Honorable citizens,

Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, our People Power Party has visited various livelihood sites nationwide.

I also visited shantytowns, care classrooms, and medical strike sites,

and listened to the hardships of small and medium enterprises and small business owners.

Everyone I met pleaded, "Please look after the livelihoods of ordinary people first."

The hardships of the people weigh heavily on me.

The ruling party's responsibility to take care of livelihoods presses on my heart.

Fortunately, our economy is gradually recovering.

Exports, the backbone of our economy, are showing steady growth.

Exports in the first half of this year increased by 9.1% compared to the same period last year,

ranking first in growth rate among the world's top 10 exporting countries.

If this trend continues, it is expected that Korea will surpass Japan for the first time ever this year,

becoming the world's fifth-largest exporting country.

The trade balance has maintained a surplus for 15 consecutive months.

The economic growth rate this year is also expected to be around 2.5%,

the highest among G20 countries with income over $20,000.

The employment rate is 63.3%, marking the highest for 30 consecutive months,

and the unemployment rate is 2.5%, the lowest ever.

Since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, the increase in employed persons

has reached 420,000, double the monthly average of 210,000 during the five years of the Democratic Party government.

There is more good news.

Consumer prices in August rose by only 2%, marking the lowest level in 3 years and 5 months,

and are expected to stabilize around 2% barring major variables.

However, due to unprecedented heatwaves and concentrated heavy rains during the monsoon season, vegetable prices are unstable,

so the government should make every effort to stabilize prices during Chuseok.

Although macroeconomic indicators are generally improving,

it is still insufficient for the people to feel the economic recovery.

Especially, as domestic demand remains sluggish,

vulnerable groups, small business owners, and self-employed people are struggling greatly.

The government and ruling party will focus even more on livelihood stabilization without any negligence.

We will focus on four key policies for livelihood stabilization: strengthening protection for vulnerable groups, expanding support for small business owners and self-employed, enhancing youth support, and tax reform to ease the burden on the middle class.

First, we will greatly expand financial and fiscal support for vulnerable groups.

The Yoon Suk-yeol government has raised the median income standard to the maximum extent for three consecutive years,

significantly strengthening the basic livelihood security system.

The Moon Jae-in government, which emphasized welfare for ordinary people, increased the livelihood benefit for low-income groups by a total of 196,000 won per month over five years, but

the Yoon Suk-yeol government increased it by 213,000 won per month in just this year alone.

Including next year, it will increase by a total of 415,000 won per month in three years.

The average annual increase in livelihood benefits over three years under the current government is 1.66 million won, more than three times the 470,000 won average annual increase over five years under the Democratic Party government.

The number of livelihood benefit recipients was 1.52 million just before the current government took office, but will expand to 1.81 million by 2026.

Our party and government will continue to provide more tailored and robust support to the struggling ordinary people and vulnerable groups.

The second key livelihood policy promoted by the People Power Party is measures for small business owners and the self-employed.

The difficulties of small business owners and the self-employed continue.

Closures are increasing and delinquency rates are rising.

In response, in July, the government and ruling party prepared and are implementing a 25 trillion won customized support plan for small business owners.

They extended policy loan repayment periods up to five years,

and reduced interest rates from over 7% to 4.5% to ease interest burdens.

They also reduced burdens of rent, electricity bills, and labor costs,

and greatly strengthened programs to support employment and re-startup for small business owners.

In addition, next year, the budget for small business support has been set at 5.9 trillion won, the largest ever.

To revitalize neighborhood markets, the issuance of Onnuri gift certificates has been increased from 5 trillion won to 5.5 trillion won, and the usage scope has been greatly expanded.

To support promising small business owners linked to e-commerce,

a 500 billion won fund has been newly established.

The 'New Start Fund' to reduce excessive debt burdens will also be expanded from the current 30 trillion won to over 40 trillion won,

providing a stepping stone for recovery.

Third, we will implement various policies to support the youth.

The 'Youth Work Experience Support Project' will expand its target to 58,000 people,

providing unemployed youth with opportunities to strengthen employment capabilities.

To allow studying without worrying about tuition,

the national scholarship recipients, currently 1 million, will increase to 1.5 million.

Work-study scholarships, which allow combining work and study, will expand support from 140,000 to 200,000 next year,

and housing scholarships for low-income groups will be newly established.

When winning youth housing subscriptions,

a product will be launched that provides low-interest loans up to 80% of the sale price,

expanding opportunities for housing stability and asset formation.

Also, the soldier's salary, which was 816,000 won under the previous government,

will increase to 2.05 million won next year, rewarding the dedication of the youth.

Fourth, the People Power Party will promote tax reform to reduce the excessive tax burden on the middle class.

First, although the comprehensive real estate tax has been partially improved since the current government took office,

it will be reformed to further reduce the burden.

The deduction for one household one house will be adjusted from the current 1.2 billion won to over 1.5 billion won,

and the heavy taxation system for multiple homeowners will be abolished.

Our inheritance tax rate is 50%, twice the OECD average.

Due to neglect of rates and tax bases for over 20 years,

now even inheriting one apartment requires paying inheritance tax.

Including the surcharge for major shareholders, the highest corporate inheritance tax rate reaches a staggering 60%, the highest in the world.

Many small and medium enterprises give up business succession due to inheritance tax,

and major shareholders often suppress stock price rises.

How can a century-old company be born under these conditions?

Viewing inheritance tax relief as wealth inheritance is an outdated frame.

It is to inherit capital, investment, and technology, and create jobs.

We will reform the entire inheritance tax system to fit the times.

We will lower the highest inheritance tax rate, expand deductions, and abolish the surcharge for major shareholders.

By next year, the inheritance tax system will be reformed from an estate tax to an inheritance acquisition tax.

The capital gains tax should be abolished.

If the capital gains tax is implemented from next year in the current stock market environment,

investors' overseas outflow will accelerate,

and short-term speculative trading is highly likely to be triggered.

Volatility in the domestic stock market will increase,

and opportunities for youth and the middle class to build wealth will decrease.

From the perspective of increasing market predictability,

the decision to abolish the capital gains tax should be made as soon as possible.

The middle class is the backbone of our society.

We will straighten the bent back caused by excessive and punitive taxes.

I hope the ruling and opposition parties listen to the voices from the field and seriously discuss to achieve results.

■ We will vigorously promote four key tasks for future preparedness.

- Low birthrate measures, fostering national advanced strategic industries, responding to climate and local extinction crises

Honorable citizens,

Our party and government are carefully attending to livelihoods,

while also making thorough preparations for the future.

We have selected low birthrate measures, fostering national advanced strategic industries, and responding to climate and local extinction crises

as four key tasks and will vigorously promote them.

First, we will reorganize the low birthrate response system and policies

to enhance effectiveness.

Low birthrate response has been an important topic for the past 20 years.

Despite astronomical financial input, the birthrate has not reversed.

A more fundamental and effective approach is required.

From now on, we will establish and operate a nationwide total response system.

We will create a vice-premier-level 'Population Strategy Planning Department' as a control tower to comprehensively plan population policies.

This was also the Democratic Party's first election pledge.

Also, following the principle of selection and concentration,

we have announced specific measures focusing on three core areas: work-family balance, child-rearing, and housing.

We ask the opposition party for active cooperation so that the government organization law amendment bill to establish the Population Strategy Planning Department, the amendment bill to the Framework Act on Low Birthrate and Aging Society, and the three maternal protection laws for work-family balance can be passed in the September plenary session.

The second policy task for future preparedness is to devote all efforts to fostering advanced strategic industries including semiconductors and AI.

The world is now in the midst of a global technology hegemony competition.

At the center is the semiconductor industry.

Advanced countries such as the U.S., Europe, Japan, and Taiwan are also pouring out astronomical support measures with their lives at stake.

However, we are stuck due to various regulations that prevent factory expansion,

and political strife that even blocks investment tax credits.

Now we must remove all obstacles and run forward.

Our party has proposed a package bill to foster future industries including semiconductors and AI.

The government also announced a 26 trillion won support plan for the semiconductor industry,

actively promoting the semiconductor industry.

There can be no ideology in semiconductors.

Politics should not be imposed on it.

The Democratic Party has been obstructing advanced industry support, claiming it is preferential treatment for large corporations.

However, recently, the Democratic Party proposed a special semiconductor law supporting 100 trillion won in policy finance for the semiconductor industry.

We sincerely welcome this and hope to seek constructive alternatives through bipartisan consultations.

Also, let's promptly pass the special law on the national power grid to supply the electricity needed for advanced industries quickly and sufficiently.

Finally, responding to the climate crisis and local extinction crisis is a national core task that can no longer be delayed for our future.

The ruling and opposition parties must pool wisdom and policy capabilities.

I propose establishing the 'Special Committee on Climate Crisis Response' and the 'Special Committee on Local Extinction Crisis Response' in the National Assembly.

■ We will definitely achieve four reform tasks

- Pension reform, medical reform, labor reform, fiscal reform

Honorable citizens,

We now face reform tasks that must be accomplished for the sustainable development of the country.

Our party and government will definitely achieve four reform tasks that previous governments failed or did not even attempt:

pension reform, medical reform, labor reform, and fiscal reform.

First, we will firmly conclude pension reform.

Pension reform is an important and urgent national core task.

If the current pension system continues, finances will be depleted in 30 years.

We must start fundamental pension reform now,

to protect the people's old age and take responsibility for the youth's future.

In the 21st National Assembly, a bipartisan pension special committee was formed and discussions began, but no final agreement was reached.

Pension reform must include both parameter reforms such as pension insurance rates and income replacement rates, and structural reforms to be sustainable for 50 to 100 years.

Under this principle, last week President Yoon Suk-yeol presented three principles of pension reform: sustainability, intergenerational fairness, and old-age income security.

Yesterday, the government announced specific reform plans.

Now it is the National Assembly's time.

Let's immediately form the 'Pension Reform Special Committee,' start discussions, and produce substantial results within this year.

I believe in the Democratic Party's sincerity regarding pension reform.

I expect active cooperation.

Second, we will definitely achieve the medical reform currently being promoted by the government.

The purpose of medical reform is to normalize essential medical care,

and revive regional medical services.

It is to provide better medical services to the people.

The majority of the people also support medical reform and increasing medical school quotas.

Because it is a difficult reform task, pains are still being experienced.

Medical reform must succeed.

Our party has proposed a medical reform package bill to eliminate the gap in essential medical care between the metropolitan area and provinces, and to revive regional medical services.

To support medical reform, we will boldly invest 10 trillion won from the national budget and 10 trillion won from health insurance over the next five years.

Once again, I earnestly appeal to residents and medical students.

Please return to medical sites and schools even now.

Let's work together to protect people's lives and advance medical services.

The government has been communicating extensively with the medical community,

but I hope they open their hearts more and engage in dialogue.

Recently, concerns about emergency room operations have been raised.

Since gaps in emergency medical care threaten patients' lives,

the government must closely inspect the field and communicate closely,

responding without gaps.

Please make thorough preparations for emergency medical care during the Chuseok holiday.

I once again applaud the dedication and efforts of medical professionals who are by patients' sides even at this moment.

Third, we will accelerate labor reform.

Since the launch of the Yoon Suk-yeol government, the establishment of labor law has eliminated large-scale illegal strikes that were annual events.

The number of lost workdays has decreased to one-third compared to the previous government, and 90% of labor unions participate in union accounting disclosure.

We have eradicated construction violence that disrupted construction sites,

and corrected hiring corruption involving union officials' children.

Going forward, we will focus on securing labor market flexibility and resolving the dual structure.

Both employers and workers should be able to flexibly choose working hours and forms of labor.

The rigid wage system should also be improved so that middle-aged and older workers can continue working.

In addition, our party will enact the 'Labor Weakness Protection Act' to protect unorganized workers.

The Labor Standards Act to eradicate wage arrears must also be promptly amended.

We request active cooperation from the opposition party.

Fourth, we will promote fiscal reform.

We will legislate fiscal rules.

Maintaining fiscal soundness is an essential condition for sustainable national development.

With low birthrate and aging, the tax base weakens and welfare expenditures increase, making finances difficult, so we must prepare in advance.

Therefore, despite many constraints in fiscal management, the Yoon Suk-yeol government has maintained a sound fiscal stance for three consecutive years.

Moreover, during the five years of the Democratic Party government, supplementary budgets were prepared 10 times, causing national debt to surge by over 400 trillion won, exceeding 1,000 trillion won in total.

Household debt also increased by a staggering 500 trillion won, reaching over 1,860 trillion won.

Both the nation and households need to secure soundness more than ever.

We must tighten our belts.

This is why our party opposes the Democratic Party's indiscriminate cash handouts of 250,000 to 350,000 won to all citizens.

They must raise 13 to 18 trillion won in cash handout funds by borrowing,

which is irresponsible populism aimed only at immediate popularity.

Our country's total annual budget for the environment sector is about 12 trillion won.

The total budget for agriculture, forestry, and fisheries is about 25 trillion won.

The total budget for social overhead capital (SOC) such as roads, railways, and ports nationwide is about 26 trillion won.

These are budgets our lawmakers are fighting hard to secure.

But is it right to distribute an enormous amount of 18 trillion won at once as a populist gift, indiscriminately,

which is more than the entire annual budget for the environment sector,

and close to 70% of the agriculture and fisheries support budget and national SOC construction budget?

It was revealed by a 2020 KDI analysis that only about 30% of such cash handouts are connected to consumption.

In the end, the effect is minimal,

and the already difficult national finances will inevitably worsen.

The Democratic Party says that ordinary people are struggling, so why only care about fiscal soundness?

Irresponsible supplementary budgets leading to reckless debt parties may receive applause from some people immediately.

But what will happen next?

Who will bear the debt?

Does free money suddenly fall from the sky?

Our children and future youth generations must bear it all,

is that really the right policy?

There is a saying, "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."

Many Latin American countries have brought fiscal ruin and destroyed their economies through such populist politics.

Do we want to follow that path?

We are not saying not to spend finances.

We want to save and use them properly where needed.

We want to manage like our own household.

Therefore, our party and government have been promoting the legislation of fiscal rules to prevent reckless national debt increase.

However, it was defeated in the last National Assembly due to the Democratic Party's opposition.

Korea is not a short-lived country.

If we truly think about the nation's tomorrow and the youth's future,

the opposition party should also join in legislating fiscal rules for sound finances.

Honorable citizens,

It is often said that "reform is harder than revolution."

There is strong resistance from stakeholders.

The process of communication, persuasion, and reaching consensus is difficult.

Looking at past governments,

many gave up halfway or did not even attempt reforms.

However, if we think about the nation's future,

reforms must be pursued even if difficult and unpopular.

The Yoon Suk-yeol government and our People Power Party are on that path.

Our party and government will pursue reforms unwaveringly, thinking of the people and the future, even if difficult now.

We ask for the people's understanding and active cooperation.

■ Bipartisan diplomatic cooperation is necessary.

Honorable citizens,

Our government now maintains a stronger and closer trilateral cooperation system among Korea, the U.S., and Japan than ever before.

The Korea-U.S. alliance, which was greatly shaken during the previous government, has been fully restored.

With the highest level of Korea-U.S. security cooperation ever, we have established a response posture that can immediately overwhelm any North Korean nuclear threat.

We are maintaining true peace through strong power, not fake peace relying on North Korea's goodwill.

The Korea-Japan relationship, which experienced severe conflicts throughout the previous five years, has been normalized by the government's decision for national interest.

There is closer and more active exchange and cooperation than ever in economy, diplomacy, culture, and other fields.

Human exchanges, especially among the younger generation, exceed 10 million annually.

Yet, the opposition party attacks the government with an outdated 'anti-Japan' frame.

Recently, they slandered our government as the Joseon Governor-General's Office with absurd logic such as "glorifying Japanese colonial rule" and "promoting August 15th Foundation Day."

This is an outrageous remark; is this what the opposition party leader should say?

Recently, when the replacement of the aging Dokdo monument was proposed,

they spread the ridiculous argument that it is erasing Dokdo.

Also, the Democratic Party leadership repeatedly makes absurd claims close to delusions, such as "concern over the Japanese Self-Defense Forces' deployment to the Korean Peninsula."

There is a saying, "If all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail," and it is regrettable that even diplomacy is used as a political issue.

Stop the old propaganda politics that stigmatize opponents as pro-Japanese and divide people for political gain.

Korea is now emerging as a global pivotal country.

We participate as an invited country in the G7 summit as well as the G20 summit,

standing shoulder to shoulder with the world's advanced countries.

We are advancing toward the brightest global pivotal country in our 5,000-year history,

so should our politics hold us back?

Let's cooperate across party lines in diplomacy and security.

■ Politics exists to care for the people's lives.

Honorable citizens,

Our People Power Party was defeated in the last general election.

We deeply feel the people's reproach.

We painfully realize the limitations of a minority party that cannot stop the majority party's tyranny.

That makes it even more painful.

But we will not despair here.

We will not hide in the shadow of being a minority party.

We will fix what needs fixing and protect what needs protecting,

and follow the path the people want.

Honorable lawmakers of both parties,

I believe the way for our politics to regain trust

is not far away.

We just need to stop doing what the people dislike.

But the current 22nd National Assembly

has only done what it was told not to do.

Look outside.

In the industrial upheaval based on AI and semiconductors,

countries around the world are fighting for survival in national competitions.

At such a critical time, we are only engaging in special prosecutors, impeachment, and political strife inside.

How long must our politics be like this?

Politics exists to care for the people's lives.

What is more important than the people's livelihood?

What is more important than protecting the people's lives and safety?

Don't we all agree?

Let's stop political strife unrelated to the people's lives here.

And let's work together.

To take care of the people's lives,

to prepare for the nation's future,

to give hope to the youth, let's do it together.

Citizens,

please watch over and support our People Power Party.

We will repay you with good politics.

We will protect livelihoods and nurture the future.

Thank you.