44-Minute Negotiation Group Speech
49 Mentions of "People" and "Republic of Korea"
45 Mentions of "Democratic Party" and 19 of "Lee Jaemyung"
Some Pro-Han Lawmakers Show Cold Response
"The main culprit of the current national turmoil we are experiencing, the instigator of the national crisis, and the destroyer of the constitutional order is none other than the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung faction."
On the 11th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, devoted his 44-minute speech at the National Assembly negotiation group representative speech to mentioning the Democratic Party 44 times, impeachment 21 times, and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung 18 times, criticizing, "There has never been such an opposition party in our constitutional history or in any country in the world. It is a record of parliamentary dictatorship, evidence of legislative violence, and a chronicle of constitutional destruction." This was the second most mentioned after People Power Party and Republic of Korea, which were mentioned a total of 49 times.
While apologizing for causing anxiety and concern to the people due to President Yoon Seok-yeol's December 3 emergency martial law incident, Kwon claimed that the cause lies in the Democratic Party and Lee's 'obstruction of state affairs.' This statement is interpreted as being conscious of the conservative support base rallying around President Yoon.
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 11th. 2025.2.11 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Initially, Kwon apologized for the December 3 emergency martial law, mentioned the strengthening of the Korea-US alliance, restoration of the nuclear power ecosystem, macroeconomic recovery, labor and education reform achievements during the three years of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which drew applause from the ruling party side. Following the Democratic Party leadership's request the day before, asking their members via text to refrain from jeering, slandering, and mocking the opposing party's negotiation group speech, there was no loud noise.
However, after mentioning 29 consecutive impeachments, 23 special prosecutor law proposals, 38 veto attempts, forced hearings, and unilateral passage of budget cuts since the Yoon administration, he said, "Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea government until the Moon Jae-in administration, a total of 21 impeachment motions have been proposed in 74 years," adding, "There has never been such an opposition party in our constitutional history or any country in the world. What is even more outrageous is the reason for the impeachment. Lee Jin-sook, the Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, was impeached just two days after her appointment." The opposition raised their voices, saying, "Are you condoning rebellion?" In response, People Power Party lawmakers shouted, "That's right," and applauded Kwon's remarks.
Especially when Kwon pointed at Lee Jae-myung, saying, "Lee is facing 8 cases, 12 charges, and 5 trials. Before his brother's sentence is finalized, he is driving the state affairs into ruin to induce an early presidential election and seize the presidency through this rebellion," loud voices and jeers were exchanged on site. Opposition lawmakers shouted "Yoon Seok-yeol" repeatedly. Some lawmakers also protested, saying, "Both the speaker and the applauders should raise their standards," and "It was Yoon Seok-yeol who did it."
Listing impeachments led by the Democratic Party against prosecutors investigating Lee's alleged illegal North Korea remittances, Daejang-dong and Baekhyeon-dong corruption allegations, and the impeachment of Choi Jae-hae, the Board of Audit and Inspection chief who audited Moon Jae-in administration's nuclear phase-out policy, the killing of a West Sea public official, housing price statistics manipulation, and solar power project corruption, some Democratic Party lawmakers left the plenary session hall where the negotiation group representative speech was taking place.
Following this, Kwon mentioned the Korea-US alliance in his speech, referring to Lee's past remarks on the alliance such as 'occupying forces' and 'must be prepared for the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Korea.' He criticized, "Recently, the Democratic Party suddenly proposed a resolution supporting the Korea-US alliance. Lee Jae-myung is also emphasizing the Korea-US alliance a lot. This is a camouflage tactic aimed at an early presidential election. The chameleon's protective color has changed to the pattern of the Stars and Stripes," which made People Power Party lawmakers burst into laughter. The Democratic Party protested, shouting "aiding rebellion."
In Kwon's speech related to the market economy and liberal democracy, the ruling party applauded while the opposition responded with loud voices and jeers. He said, "According to a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, the reason foreign companies find it difficult to invest in Korea is 'unpredictable regulatory environment (42.3%).' Who created such an anti-business investment environment? It is politics," and fiercely criticized, "The hypocritical political culture that treats politicians who merely regulate companies and excessively criticize them as good or sensible politicians has become a shackle on our economy. And at the center of this is the Democratic Party." He also urged, "If Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party have the will to revise policies and lines, they should abolish the Yellow Envelope Act and the National Assembly Testimony and Inspection Act first. Instead, pass the livelihood bills agreed upon by both parties immediately." The ruling party applauded, while the opposition retorted, "Give the ruling party leader's speech."
On this day, Kwon also mentioned reform 23 times, economy 16 times, president 16 times, pension 13 times, power 11 times, companies 11 times, Korea-US alliance 9 times, in addition to Republic of Korea, people, Democratic Party, and Lee Jae-myung, expressing his determination as the ruling party to focus on responsible state administration and preparations for future generations such as pension reform. People Power Party lawmakers supported Kwon's remarks with a total of 26 rounds of applause.
As Kwon concluded his speech by saying, "People Power Party is the legitimate conservative party of the Republic of Korea," the Democratic Party responded with laughter. When Kwon left the plenary session hall after his speech, most People Power Party lawmakers applauded, but some pro-Han faction lawmakers either did not stand or did not applaud even if they stood.
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