Democratic Party's Kim Yeosa Despite Special Prosecutor Bill Amendment... People Power Party "Will Block Deceptive Evil Law" United Front

Choo Kyung-ho "Demand Live Trial Broadcasts, Not Trick Special Prosecutor"
Han Dong-hoon Criticizes Opposition for Holding Rally on College Essay Exam Day

The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 14th to submit a revised special investigation law concerning First Lady Kim Geon-hee, which includes narrowing the scope of investigation and granting the right to recommend a third-party special prosecutor, to the National Assembly plenary session. However, voices calling for a 'unified front' are growing louder within the People Power Party. They judged that the revised special investigation law on First Lady Kim is an 'attack card' that incites division within the ruling party ahead of the first trial verdict of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the 12th, at a party floor meeting held at the National Assembly, People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho said, "It is astonishing that at a time just two days before the plenary session, they plan to revise and pass a bill that they forcibly pushed through the standing committee." He added, "We will definitely block this cunning bad law."

Following President Yoon Suk-yeol's national address, expectations for the restoration of party-government relations and the appointment of a special inspector are rising. Additionally, with the first trial verdicts for Lee Jae-myung's charges of violating the Public Official Election Act and instructing perjury scheduled for the 15th and 25th of this month respectively, this is interpreted as an intention to consolidate the party internally.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the "Emergency Countermeasure Meeting to Prevent Judicial Obstruction by Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party" held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Both the pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions, which have been at odds, are now fervently working to defend Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and to curb the opposition's large-scale outdoor rallies. Floor leader Choo stated, "What the Democratic Party should do is not shallow tricks like revising the special investigation law, but rather request a live broadcast of Lee's first trial," adding, "It seems the Democratic Party is mocking and disregarding the judiciary of the Republic of Korea too much. On one hand, they are holding large-scale outdoor rallies, threatening to impeach judges, organizing a signature relay among lawmakers, submitting petitions for acquittal, and even mobilizing opposition local government heads to intimidate judges. On the other hand, they are trying to appease judges by increasing next year's court budget by 24.6 billion won."

In particular, Han Dong-hoon, who has had conflicts with the presidential office over issues related to the First Lady, chaired an 'Emergency Countermeasure Meeting to Prevent Judicial Obstruction by Lee Jae-myung's Democratic Party' at the National Assembly on the same day. He repeatedly criticized the Democratic Party and the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions for their plans to hold large-scale outdoor rallies on the 16th and 23rd. Han said, "The Democratic Party should consider how ordinary citizens would view the traffic jams and noise in downtown Seoul on the day before and the day of the university entrance essay exams." On the 16th and 23rd, essay exams will be held at 11 universities in Seoul respectively. He continued, "A very small number of professional agitators are threatening the safety and peace of citizens," urging, "The police and judicial authorities must respond very strictly and strongly to illegal violent assemblies."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min