After Martial Law, Escalation of Mutual Accusations Between Ruling and Opposition Parties... Democratic Party Files 66 Complaints

Democratic Party Establishes 'Minjupachulso'... Fake News Reporting
People Power Party Moves Beyond Reflection, Joins Legal Battle

Since President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law, both ruling and opposition parties have been engaged in a fierce battle of accusations reminiscent of a presidential election. The opposition party has filed complaints not only against government and ruling party officials related to the martial law declaration but also against those who defended it, on charges of propaganda and incitement. Recently, the ruling party has shifted from a mode of reflection to actively participating in the accusation battle with charges such as defamation and false accusation.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

According to the Democratic Party on the 9th, since President Yoon declared martial law on the 3rd of last month, the party has received 66 complaints against government and ruling party officials on charges including treason, propaganda of treason, obstruction of special official duties, violation of testimony and appraisal laws in the National Assembly, and general treason. Nineteen individuals, including President Yoon, former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, former Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min, Presidential Chief of Staff Jeong Jin-seok, and former People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho, have been accused of treason. President Yoon and former Minister Kim are also under investigation for general treason. General treason refers to criminal acts that harm the country's military interests or provide military benefits to an enemy state.

People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun and Na Kyung-won, lawyer Seok Dong-hyun, conservative YouTuber Go Seong-guk, and 18 others have been accused of propaganda of treason. The Democratic Party explained that Kwon's statement that "Prime Minister Han Duck-soo must perform his duties even if an impeachment motion is passed" exacerbated the confusion caused by the martial law declaration. Lawyer Seok also held a press conference in front of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office on the 19th of last month, stating, "President Yoon never ordered the arrest or removal of lawmakers." The Democratic Party's Special Committee for Overcoming Treason and National Stability explained the reason for the complaints at a press conference on the 2nd, saying, "There is a resurgence of forces justifying treasonous acts and spreading the distorted logic that 'impeachment is equivalent to treason.'"

The Democratic Party is expected to continue filing complaints related to treason. On the 6th, the party's False Information Monitoring Team under the National Communication Committee launched an internal organization called the "Democratic Police Station" to respond to false and fabricated information related to martial law. They plan to receive reports and take actions such as filing complaints against fake news found not only in online communities but also in portal site comments, social networking services (SNS), and banners. As of that day, about 17,000 reports had been received by the Democratic Police Station. Jeon Yong-gi, the chairman of the National Communication Committee, said, "More fake news reports are coming in than expected," and added, "We will soon classify the reports and take actions such as filing complaints."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party's policy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The People Power Party has also taken a tough stance by entering the accusation battle about a month after the martial law incident occurred. Joo Jin-woo, the party's legal advisory chairman and a lawmaker, plans to submit a complaint to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office this morning against Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Sang-sik, a former police officer, and others, including unidentified Democratic Party members and National Police Agency officials, on charges of abuse of power, violation of the Anti-Graft Act, and disclosure of official secrets. This is related to Lee's post on social networking services (SNS) claiming that he acted as a messenger between the party and the National Police Agency.

Earlier, People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong claimed at a party meeting the previous day, "If the Democratic Party is directing the National Police Agency's investigation and conspiring in the execution of warrants, this is a serious constitutional violation." Lawmaker Joo also stated, "This is a crime of disturbing the national order by infringing on the independence of the National Police Agency and undermining a fair operational system," and explained the reason for the complaint as "a serious matter where the Democratic Party effectively commands the National Police Agency, damaging the fairness and legitimacy of investigations."

On the 7th, Lawmaker Joo filed a complaint with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against Democratic Party lawmakers Chu Mi-ae, Park Seon-won, and Noh Jong-myeon for defamation based on false facts. Joo explained that they spread false information related to the declaration of martial law and the execution of an arrest warrant against President Yoon. On the 3rd, Chu disclosed a tip that Park Jong-jun, head of the Presidential Security Service, ordered live ammunition to be fired when the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) was executing an arrest warrant against President Yoon. Noh raised suspicions that former floor leader Chu participated in a pre-martial law conspiracy dinner.

Earlier, on the 3rd, the People Power Party filed complaints against opposition leaders including Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, floor leader Park Chan-dae, and Supreme Council member Kim Min-seok on charges of false accusation and defamation based on false facts. This was a counteraction in response to the ruling party's complaints accusing senior ruling party lawmakers of propaganda of treason. Lawmaker Joo criticized, "Lee and others clearly knew that the charges of propaganda of treason could not be established but still filed complaints against floor leader Kwon and others, committing false accusation and defamation," and added, "They are trying to distort the functions of the National Assembly by flooding it with malicious complaints against ruling party lawmakers."

The People Power Party is expected not to back down in the ongoing accusation battle with the Democratic Party. A People Power Party official said, "The ruling party should apologize and reflect on the martial law incident, but the Democratic Party's false accusations and dissemination of false information have gone too far," and added, "There is a strong opinion that we must respond appropriately."