Democratic Party Launches Strong Offensive Against People Power Party: "Investigate Rebellion, Dissolve if Unconstitutional"

Kim Byungjoo Urges Thorough Investigation in Rebellion Special Probe
Intensified Attacks on Representative Joo Jinwoo's Asset Allegations
Strong Pressure Exerted at Supreme Council Meeting

On June 20, the Democratic Party of Korea launched a strong offensive against the People Power Party. This move appears to be a response to the People Power Party intensifying its scrutiny of Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok and raising its criticism regarding the formulation of an additional supplementary budget. The Democratic Party issued stern warnings about the possibility of the People Power Party being dissolved as an unconstitutional party and applied heavy pressure on People Power Party lawmakers such as Joo Jinwoo, who are leading the vetting of Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok.

Kim Byungjoo, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "In the special investigation into the rebellion, we urge a thorough investigation into the People Power Party's involvement in these matters related to the rebellion." He added, "I hope there will be a thorough investigation into what role Choo Kyungho, then floor leader of the People Power Party, played and what actions the People Power Party took to support or condone the rebellion." He continued, "If such unconstitutional actions are revealed by the special investigation, I believe the People Power Party should naturally be dissolved as an unconstitutional party," and emphasized, "In that case, I believe legal procedures must be followed."

Kim Byungki, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on June 20, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In particular, Supreme Council member Kim also referenced an interview with former Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, who raised the possibility of dissolving the People Power Party as an unconstitutional party. Former Mayor Hong cited the controversy over the People Power Party leadership's response during the period of emergency martial law and the attempt to replace the presidential candidate with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo as grounds for considering the party unconstitutional.

Han Junho, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, launched an attack on Representative Joo, who took the lead in raising allegations related to the nominee's assets during the confirmation hearing for Prime Minister nominee Kim. Han stated, "Before the party is further branded as a nouveau riche party where a grandfather giving a 700 million won gift to his grandson is considered normal, or as a hypocritical party that calls others a department store of corruption, I hope you will exercise restraint." He added, "Representative Joo's family tree is quite interesting. Since we've started, perhaps we should investigate together with the public how one can accumulate over 7 billion won in assets while serving as a public official, and how a minor can come to possess over 700 million won in deposits through gifts from a grandfather."

Lee Eonju, Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, commented on the supplementary budget, saying, "They do nothing, stand by with their arms folded, and only pay lip service to fiscal soundness, yet in reality, fiscal soundness has not been achieved. Now, as the new government tries to implement this supplementary budget, they are even blocking that, telling us to do nothing. What exactly are they suggesting?" She urged, "In order to address this serious domestic economic downturn, if the People Power Party and the Yoon Sukyeol administration have anything to say about what they have done so far, I hope they will make their position clear."