Democratic Party Launches Full Offensive with 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law' and 'Yoon Impeachment'... Lee Jae-myung Focuses on Livelihood Issues

Original Pro-Pro-Yoon Group 'Cheoreomhwe' Pushes for Yoon's Term Reduction Amendment
Lee Focuses on Livelihood and Economy Over Confrontation with Ruling Party

The Democratic Party of Korea is diversifying its offensive against President Yoon Seok-yeol ahead of the first trial verdict in the perjury coaching case involving party leader Lee Jae-myung. While urging acceptance of the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, they are also proposing options such as holding a national referendum or President Yoon himself deciding to shorten his term through a constitutional amendment. However, Lee appears to be stepping back slightly from confrontations with the ruling party and focusing all efforts on livelihood and economic issues.

On the afternoon of the 21st, the Democratic Party will enter the fourth day of the 'Second Emergency Action by National Assembly Members to Enforce the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act,' held on the steps in front of the National Assembly main building. The Democratic Party, which held the emergency action declaration ceremony on the 18th, is urging President Yoon not to exercise his veto power against the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act. The third attempt at the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act was passed by the National Assembly plenary session on the 14th, led by the opposition party. On the same morning, some lawmakers participated in a 'picket protest' at Gwanghwamun Square in Jongno-gu, Seoul, as part of the emergency action.

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), is attending the "2nd Emergency Action Declaration Ceremony of Democratic Party of Korea Members of the National Assembly for the Enforcement of the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act" held on the stairs in front of the main building of the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News

Additionally, the 'Constitutional Amendment Coalition for a National Referendum on the President's Dismissal (Amendment Coalition),' which includes many members from the 'Cheoreomhoe' faction, is holding a constitutional amendment forum in the National Assembly to discuss shortening President Yoon's term by two years. 'Cheoreomhoe' is the original pro-Lee Jae-myung faction group founded by former lawmaker Choi Kang-wook to discuss prosecutorial reform and other issues. Among the Amendment Coalition members from Cheoreomhoe are Democratic Party lawmakers Kim Yong-min, Kim Seung-won, Jang Kyung-tae, Moon Jung-bok, Min Hyung-bae, and Hwang Un-ha, who moved to the Joguk Innovation Party and serves as its floor leader. The Amendment Coalition has stated that they intend to include a clause in the constitutional addendum through a national referendum limiting President Yoon Seok-yeol's term to three years.

Former lawmaker Kim Du-kwan, who ran against Lee in the Democratic Party leadership election last August, is also speaking about 'constitutional amendment.' His approach is somewhat different. Kim is demanding that President Yoon make a direct decision to introduce a 'four-year single term' system. He argues that the presidential election should be held together with the local elections in 2026 and is conducting a solo protest in front of the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, visited Motgol Market in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, on the 21st, tasting hotteok and engaging in conversation. [Joint coverage] Yonhap News Agency

While voices within the Democratic Party are pressuring President Yoon to shorten his term, Lee has stepped forward to address livelihood issues. On the same day, Lee visited Motgol General Market in Paldal-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi Province, with Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon and greeted merchants. Governor Kim is considered a competitor within the party. Since Lee's side requested Governor Kim to accompany him first, it appears to also aim at party unity.

At a meeting held at the market in Suwon-si, Lee said, "No matter how rich a country is, if only a very small number are wealthy and the rest are struggling, isn't that unfortunate?" He added, "Even if the total amount seems a bit insufficient, a hopeful country where everyone lives well together?that is the kind of country we all dream of."