"Show That Wrongdoing Will Be Punished," Sharp Criticism
"If There Is Determination for Reform, I Will Devote Myself as the Most Senior Lawmaker"
As former President Yoon Sukyeol has failed to respond to a third summons by the police, Rep. Cho Kyungtae of the People Power Party criticized, "He should be arrested and thoroughly investigated just like any ordinary citizen," adding, "If wrongdoing is found, he must be held appropriately accountable and face punishment."
Rep. Cho Kyungtae of the People Power Party is attending a meeting of lawmakers with four or more terms presided over by Floor Leader Song Eonseok at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On June 20, during an interview on SBS Radio's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show,' Rep. Cho made these remarks in response to a question about how he views former President Yoon's refusal to comply with the police's third summons.
Rep. Cho stated, "He is a president who was unanimously removed from office due to an illegal and unconstitutional emergency martial law," arguing that investigative authorities should initiate a compulsory investigation into former President Yoon. He emphasized, "There was significant public dissatisfaction over his previous release by a judge," and stressed, "The spirit of the Constitution is that the law is equal for everyone."
Regarding some lawmakers who oppose Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae's reform plan, which includes invalidating the party line against impeachment, Rep. Cho commented, "Aren't they a group defending former President Yoon's illegal martial law? That is how the public perceives them." When the host asked, "Are you saying that even if they repeatedly claim to oppose the emergency martial law, without any follow-up action, the public does not see them as truly opposed?" Rep. Cho replied, "That's right," and added, "If there is a serious violent offender, it doesn't make sense to say that although violence was committed, the perpetrator should not be punished."
Rep. Cho further pointed out, "Not only ordinary citizens but even minors who are not yet able to exercise their voting rights, such as first-year middle school students, know that former President Yoon's emergency martial law was wrong," and criticized, "If people who are supposed to be members of the National Assembly cannot clearly state their position or make a judgment on this, they are not qualified to be lawmakers."
When asked by the host whether he would consider taking on the role of chairman in the next reform committee, former Rep. Cho answered, "As the most senior lawmaker in the party, if there is a determination for reform regarding the five major reform proposals plus additional measures advocated by the current Emergency Committee Chairman, I am prepared to dedicate myself for the sake of the party."
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