Democratic Party Holds Emergency Press Conference in Front of Presidential Office to Condemn Veto Power

After the Reconsideration Request for the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act is Passed
Park Chan-dae "Condemns President Yoon's Veto Tyranny"

The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, held a condemnation press conference in front of the Presidential Office as it was anticipated that President Yoon Seok-yeol would exercise his veto power. They particularly urged the acceptance of a special prosecutor law, insisting that allegations against First Lady Kim Geon-hee must be investigated.

On the afternoon of the 30th, the Democratic Party, the Party for Justice and Innovation, the Progressive Party, the Basic Income Party, and the Social Democratic Party held an "Emergency Press Conference Condemning the Veto" in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. This press conference was held in protest after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in the morning approved the request for reconsideration of the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law, the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law, and the Local Love Gift Certificate Act (local currency law). About 50 opposition lawmakers gathered here. They held placards reading "Investigate Kim Geon-hee with a Special Prosecutor" and shouted slogans demanding a special prosecutor.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at an emergency press conference condemning the veto in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 30th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "If President Yoon vetoes the bill, it will be the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th time he has abused his veto power," and condemned "President Yoon's veto tyranny that tramples on the constitutional spirit of the separation of powers." He continued, "All suspicions in the Republic of Korea lead to First Lady Kim," and claimed, "Kim Geon-hee is at the center of all the suspicious scandals that reek, including the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation and allegations of interference in the general election nominations." Furthermore, he launched an offensive, saying, "The lament and anger that the Republic of Korea has fallen into the 'Kim Geon-hee Kingdom' are growing."

Floor leader Park emphasized, "If President Yoon does not want to be remembered in history as a president who abandoned the people, he must give up his veto and accept the special prosecutor law." He added, "If the special prosecutor law is vetoed again, what awaits is nothing but popular resistance and the downfall of the administration," and said, "The Democratic Party will fight for truth and justice together with the people." He also spoke at the "Yoon Seok-yeol Veto OUT Citizens' Rally" held by civic groups in front of the Seoul Press Center last weekend, stating, "We will strive to end the ruthless tyranny of this administration."

The three bills for which the request for reconsideration was approved at the Cabinet meeting are all bills promoted as party policies by the Democratic Party. The Local Currency Law includes provisions to revitalize local currencies, which is the "signature brand" of party leader Lee Jae-myung. The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law passed the National Assembly twice through the process of 'passing the National Assembly - exercising veto power - reconsideration' and passed the plenary session for the third time. The strengthened Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law in the 22nd National Assembly is the second passed bill.