Democratic Party Aide: "Allow People Power Party Lawmakers to Move... Ban Picket Protests"

Changed Strategy from First Vote When Holding Signs
"Please Absolutely Refrain from Slogans and Actions"

The Democratic Party Staff Association (the Association) announced on the 14th a policy prohibiting chanting slogans and other activities within the National Assembly premises ahead of the vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol.

Lee Jeong-hyo, chairman of the Association, urged Democratic Party staff to maintain silence within the premises. The Association stated in a notice, "We ask all staff to maintain silence in the Rotunda ahead of the impeachment vote." This is analyzed as a strategy to encourage members of the People Power Party to participate in the vote. During the first impeachment vote against President Yoon on the 7th, opposition party staff, including those from the Democratic Party, strongly protested by shouting "traitors" at ruling party members leaving the meeting room.

On the afternoon of the 7th, after the People Power Party members finished voting on the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' at the National Assembly, they left the plenary hall before the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol. Opposition party staff and aides blocked their way. They repeatedly shouted slogans calling them "collaborators." Photo by Oh Ji-eun

The Association also emphasized, "Please absolutely refrain from slogans and actions," and "Placard protests are also prohibited, so please keep this in mind." They added, "Please secure passageways to allow People Power Party members to move smoothly to the plenary session," and "If requested by the National Assembly Security Department, please cooperate immediately."

Furthermore, they stated, "Today is a very important day for democracy in the Republic of Korea," and "We ask all staff to calmly await the results and participate orderly in their assigned positions." The Democratic Party appears to be expecting defections from the People Power Party through this 'changed strategy.'