Democratic Party: "Yoon, No More Places to Run... Cooperate with Acting Chief Choi"

Cho Seung-rae's Written Briefing
"If People Power Party Has Any Sense, They Should Withdraw"
Democratic Party Holds Emergency Meeting from 6 a.m.

The Democratic Party of Korea stated on the 15th that the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI) and the police's execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is accused of treason, marks "the day to keep the promise of not avoiding legal and political responsibility."

Cho Seung-rae, the senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a morning briefing, "President Yoon should now end the meaningless sit-in and cooperate with law enforcement," adding, "There is nowhere left to run." He also urged the Presidential Security Service (PSS), the People Power Party, and Choi Sang-mok, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, not to obstruct the execution of the arrest warrant. Around 4:20 a.m. that day, HOCI arrived in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, in front of the presidential residence to execute the second arrest warrant for President Yoon. Previously, on the 3rd, HOCI officials who attempted the first execution faced a standoff with the PSS for over five hours before halting and withdrawing.

On the morning of the 3rd, as officials from the Corruption Investigation Office entered the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, to execute an arrest warrant for President Yoon Seok-yeol, supporters of President Yoon gathered on the road near the residence in Hannam-dong to hold an anti-impeachment rally. Photo by Heo Young-han

Senior spokesperson Cho criticized, "People Power Party lawmakers gathered in front of the residence," calling it "a foolish act that invites downfall." He added, "If there is any minimum sense left as a political party, they should immediately withdraw and cooperate to end the rebellion and stabilize state affairs." That day, about 30 People Power Party lawmakers formed a 'human chain' in front of the residence to block President Yoon's arrest.

Cho said, "Acting Prime Minister Choi must properly face this situation," and "Choi has the responsibility to eliminate this chaos and anxiety." He also added, "There must be no obstruction or unfortunate incidents in the legitimate law enforcement," and "We hope the PSS, the People Power Party, and Acting Prime Minister Choi will cooperate."

The Democratic Party held an emergency party meeting from 6 a.m. that day to monitor the execution of the arrest warrant.