Blue symbolizes hope and growth... Snake represents wisdom, regeneration, and abundance
Among past presidents, Lee Myung-bak and Moon Jae-in
The eventful year of 2024, the Gapjin Year (甲辰年), has passed, and the year 2025, the Eulsa Year (乙巳年), has arrived. The color blue symbolizes hope and growth, while the snake represents wisdom. The snake shedding its skin also signifies regeneration and abundance. Since President Yoon Suk-yeol's emergency martial law declaration on December 3, South Korea has been experiencing prolonged political turmoil. Amid this chaotic situation, the activities of snake-year politicians, who are expected to shed the hardships of the past year and soothe the public's anxiety, are drawing attention.
Former leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Cho Guk, born in 1965, is a snake-year politician. He was first elected as a proportional representative in the 22nd general election and received his first National Assembly badge. The Joguk Innovation Party, a newly founded party by Cho, secured 12 proportional representative seats in the last general election, becoming the third-largest party in the National Assembly. However, Cho was sentenced to two years in prison for charges including his children's admission fraud and covering up Blue House inspections, and he was incarcerated at Seoul Detention Center on the 15th of last month. Even from prison, Cho emphasized the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol. He urged, "The coup plotters, including the 'leader of the rebellion,' will stop at nothing to oppose the Constitutional Court's decision and investigations," and requested, "Please also support the party membership doubling campaign. Now is the time to conclude the impeachment and become the driving force for regime change and social reform."
Former leader of the Joseon Revolutionary Party, Cho Kuk, who was sentenced to 2 years in prison for charges including admission bribery involving his children and covering up the Blue House inspection, is seen clenching his fist toward supporters before being incarcerated in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi Province on the morning of the 16th. Photo by Yonhap News
Jeong Cheong-rae, head of the National Assembly impeachment prosecution team, is making a statement before attending the first preparatory hearing for the impeachment case of President Yoon Seok-yeol at the Seoul Constitutional Court's small courtroom on the 27th. From the left, Choi Ki-sang, member of the Democratic Party of Korea, Jeong Cheong-rae, head of the team, and Kim Yi-su, former Constitutional Court justice and co-representative of the legal counsel group. Photo by Jo Yong-jun
Among current members of the National Assembly, Representative Jeong Cheong-rae (born 1965) and Representative Jeong Dong-young (born 1953) of the Democratic Party of Korea are prominent snake-year politicians. Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is leading the impeachment of President Yoon as the head of the National Assembly's impeachment prosecution committee. Jeong stated, "The December 3 Yoon Suk-yeol rebellion incident is not over yet. I will do my best as a prosecution member of the National Assembly for a swift dismissal," adding, "I will remove the traitorous group from history."
Representative Jeong Dong-young serves as the chairman of the special committee for the state investigation on Chae Sang-byeong. The committee aims to uncover the truth behind the death of Chae Sang-byeong amid allegations of external pressure from the presidential office or the Ministry of National Defense. The opposition parties forcibly passed the special investigation law for Chae Sang-byeong three times, but President Yoon exercised his veto power, leading to the bill's rejection and abandonment in a re-vote. Although a national audit, hearings, and urgent inquiries at the Defense Committee were held regarding the Chae Sang-byeong case, no substantial results were achieved.
Assemblyman Jeong recently had a conflict with the Central Election Commission (CEC) over the posting of a banner stating "Still, Lee Jae-myung is not acceptable," but the CEC ultimately allowed the banner to be posted. Facebook of Assemblyman Jeong Yeon-wook of the People Power Party.
In the People Power Party, Representatives Jeong Yeon-wook (born 1965) and Kim Min-jeon (born 1965) are snake-year politicians. Jeong Yeon-wook was one of the 18 People Power Party members who voted in favor of the resolution demanding the dissolution of the emergency martial law on the 4th. Recently, Jeong clashed with the Central Election Commission (CEC) over a banner stating, "Still, Lee Jae-myung is not acceptable." The CEC initially prohibited the banner considering the possibility of an early presidential election, but allowed the posting of another banner in Jeong's constituency (Suyeong, Busan) that read, "The leader of the rebellion Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment non-participation, Jeong Yeon-wook is also an accomplice to the rebellion!" This double standard sparked controversy, and the CEC eventually permitted the display of the "Still, Lee Jae-myung is not acceptable" banner.
Kim Min-jeon, a member of the People Power Party, is attending an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 14th.
Kim Min-jeon, classified as a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction member, entered the National Assembly as number 9 on the proportional representation list of the People Power Party's satellite party, "People's Future," in the 22nd general election. He became a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party in July last year, but along with three other Supreme Council members, he resigned last month taking responsibility for the passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon.
Among former presidents, Lee Myung-bak (born 1941) and Moon Jae-in (born 1953) are snake-year politicians. Lee, who was sentenced to prison for bribery and embezzlement charges, was pardoned and reinstated by President Yoon's special New Year's pardon in December 2022. Lee, who occasionally attends public events, urged bipartisan cooperation for national interests during his congratulatory speech at the 300th "Hwagog Good Morning Lecture" event last September, saying, "There should be no division between ruling and opposition parties when it comes to matters for the country, and unconditional opposition is unacceptable."
After his retirement, former President Moon returned to his hometown in Yangsan, Gyeongnam, and runs the "Pyeongsan Bookstore." He is also the most active former president in voicing political issues. Moon called for a decisive action by the National Assembly against President Yoon regarding the martial law situation. Last month, Moon said, "The incomprehensible and bizarre events that continued under the current administration have reached their peak. This abnormal situation must not be prolonged," and urged, "The National Assembly should promptly end this shocking situation that the world is watching and restore peace to the people."
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