The Negotiation Group Speeches Conclude... Ruling Party Mentions 'Minjoo Party' 32 Times, Opposition Mentions 'President' 48 Times

Choo Kyung-ho, "Democratic Party Even Turns Impeachment into a Political Tool"
Park Chan-dae Focuses on Regime Judgment Theory... "Constitution Violated"
'Cooperation' Mentioned Only Twice in Total

After many twists and turns, the negotiation group speeches concluded at the September regular National Assembly session. Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, each delivered speeches lasting about 48 minutes and 42 minutes respectively, evaluating the 22nd National Assembly and presenting future goals.

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 speech held on the 5th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Floor Leader Chu mentioned 'Democratic Party' 32 times. He also mentioned 'reckless' 6 times, focusing on criticizing the Democratic Party's unilateral dominance. Floor Leader Chu said, "If the Democratic Party had not engaged in unilateral legislative dominance, and if the bills had been passed through bipartisan agreement, why would the president have exercised the veto power?" He added, "The People Power Party will resolutely stand against the reckless actions of the major opposition party."

He mentioned 'impeachment' and 'rumors' 19 times and 6 times respectively. This was a critique that the impeachment motions against Lee Jin-sook, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, and the prosecutors investigating Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, as well as the baseless allegations of martial law preparations, paralyzed the political situation. Floor Leader Chu emphasized, "Impeachment is an extremely exceptional emergency measure that should not be used lightly," and added, "The Democratic Party is recklessly throwing around impeachment motions as a tool for political strife." Furthermore, he criticized, "When the Democratic Party incited rumors such as mad cow disease, THAAD, Sewol ferry disaster, and Fukushima contaminated water, some media outlets controlled by leftist forces acted as loudspeakers to spread them," and said, "The damage from this fell squarely on the people."

Aligning with Han Dong-hoon by Mentioning 'Youth'

He mentioned 'livelihood' and 'medical care' 25 and 20 times respectively, pointing out tasks that the ruling party must address. Floor Leader Chu said, "I also visited shantytowns, care classrooms, and medical strike sites, and listened to the hardships of small and medium-sized enterprises and small business owners," adding, "Everyone I met said, 'Please look after the livelihoods of ordinary people first.'" He continued, "Although macroeconomic indicators are generally improving, the public still feels that economic recovery is insufficient," and added, "The government and ruling party will focus even more to ensure no negligence in public livelihood safety."

He also mentioned 'youth' 12 times. By referring to closing gaps and other issues, this is interpreted as aligning with Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, who is targeting the youth vote. Floor Leader Chu said, "We will implement various policies to support the youth," and added, "Let's stop political strife that has nothing to do with the lives of the people here. Let's work together to give hope to the youth." Additionally, Floor Leader Chu mentioned 'Lee Jae-myung' 6 times, pointing out the judicial risks faced by the leader.

Park Chan-dae Mentions 'Constitution' 22 Times... Also Points Out Historical and Dokdo Issues

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the other hand, Floor Leader Park mentioned 'president' 48 times, putting forward the argument for 'regime judgment.' Park claimed that President Yoon Seok-yeol's governance is effectively anti-constitutional. Park mentioned 'constitution' 22 times, even citing constitutional articles. He criticized, "The constitution is being trampled upon," and said, "The president, who has the duty to uphold the constitution, is appointing those who deny the constitution to public office, creating an anti-constitutional situation."

He mentioned 'Japan' and 'Dokdo' 10 and 7 times respectively, also pointing out issues related to past history and Dokdo under the current administration. Floor Leader Park said, "Japan, empowered by the government's unilateral pro-Japanese policies, is more blatantly asserting territorial claims over Dokdo and distorting history," and added, "There is growing concern that Dokdo might be handed over to Japan and that the Japanese Self-Defense Forces might station on the Korean Peninsula." He raised his voice, saying, "If there is an actual anti-state force the president mentioned, it would be the forces that glorify pro-Japanese actions, justify colonial rule, and deny the constitution."

He mentioned 'livelihood' and 'medical care' 9 and 8 times respectively. Although fewer than the ruling party, Floor Leader Park proposed forming an emergency consultative body among the ruling and opposition parties, the National Assembly, and the government to resolve the medical crisis. This is interpreted as an attempt to take the lead in resolving the medical crisis and build an image responsible for public livelihood. Floor Leader Park said, "Even at this moment, patients are going around emergency rooms in circles," and added, "The ruling and opposition parties must put their heads together, and the medical community and government should also participate to reach a social grand compromise."

'Cooperation' Neglected Amid Political Strife... Chu Kyung-ho Mentions It Twice, Park Chan-dae Not at All

While the floor leaders of the two parties focused on political strife, cooperation was pushed to the sidelines. Floor Leader Chu mentioned 'cooperation' only twice. He said, "On the 28th of last month, the National Assembly passed 28 livelihood bills, including the special law on jeonse fraud, through bipartisan agreement in the plenary session," and added, "Since we have nurtured the precious sprout of bipartisan cooperation, we must now cultivate it well to lead to a bountiful harvest." Floor Leader Park did not mention 'cooperation' at all. However, he mentioned 'collaboration' once, urging, "We call for a progressive change in stance from the government and ruling party."