Park Chandae: "Prosecutorial Reform Before Chuseok... A Strong Democratic Party to Support the Lee Administration"

In Gwangju: "Dismantle the Prosecutors' Office, Establish a New Major Crimes Investigation Agency... Complete the Reform"
"Investigate Political Prosecutors' Schemes and Manipulations, Ensure Accountability"
"If Elected as Party Leader, Make Prosecutorial Reform Legislation the Top Priority"

Park Chandae, a preliminary candidate for the Democratic Party leader, is holding a press conference and speaking in front of the "Gate of Democracy" at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery. Photo by Song Bohyun

On the morning of the 28th, Park Chandae, a preliminary candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, visited the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Bukgu, Gwangju to pay respects to the spirits of May. After completing the memorial, Park held a press conference in front of the "Gate of Democracy" and stated, "The Democratic Party will become stronger and more united, taking on the responsibility of supporting the Lee Jaemyung administration with strength and solidarity."

He said, "Gwangju is not just a city, but the birthplace of democracy," adding, "The citizens of Gwangju and the people of Honam are the roots of the Democratic Party." He continued, "I reported to the spirits of May that it was the power of the citizens who defended democracy that prevented insurrection, and that the Lee Jaemyung administration was launched thanks to the determination of the people."

Park Chandae, a preliminary candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, visited the Gwangju National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery on the 28th and wrote in the guestbook, "I will carry on the May spirit with the Lee Jae-myung administration by defending democracy and completing prosecutorial reform. I will stand with the citizens of Gwangju to the very end." Photo by Song Bohyun

Regarding prosecutorial reform, he stated, "As a strong Democratic Party, we will take responsibility for passing prosecutorial reform legislation before Chuseok," emphasizing, "We will move beyond an era where power surveils citizens and open a future where citizens lead the power institutions." In the guestbook, he wrote, "I will carry on the May spirit with the Lee Jaemyung administration by defending democracy and completing prosecutorial reform. I will stand with the citizens of Gwangju to the very end."

On the night of the 27th, the previous day, he held a "Gwangju Regional Talk Concert" at Jeonil Building 245 in Donggu, Gwangju, where he presented specific directions for prosecutorial reform. At the event, Park declared, "We will separate investigation and indictment, dismantle the Prosecutors' Office, and establish a new Major Crimes Investigation Agency," adding, "We will complete prosecutorial reform by processing the relevant legislation by September."

On the 28th, Park Chandae, the preliminary candidate for the Democratic Party leader, and attendees took a commemorative photo after paying respects at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in Bukgu, Gwangju. Photo by Song Bohyun

He went on to say, "Despite attempts at prosecutorial reform during the three administrations of Kim Daejung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in, these efforts were repeatedly thwarted by resistance from political prosecutors," and added, "Now is the time to achieve irreversible reform through institutions and laws." He also asserted, "The prosecution has been the main culprit in ruining the country for three years," and stated, "We will investigate the prosecutors who planned and directed manipulative investigations through a special parliamentary committee and hold them legally accountable."

Declaring, "I will complete prosecutorial reform together with the citizens of Gwangju, who defended democracy with their blood," he emphasized, "If I become party leader, I will make prosecutorial reform legislation the top priority."

Kim Yongmin, a Democratic Party lawmaker who attended the talk concert, appealed for support by saying, "Park, the former floor leader, was the hidden architect behind the impeachment of Prosecutor Ahn Donghwan, which was the first case in constitutional history," and added, "He is the one who will truly finish prosecutorial reform." He also said, "As part of judicial reform, we will work to relocate the Constitutional Court or the Supreme Court to Gwangju."

The Democratic Party will hold a national convention on August 2 to elect its next party leader. In this primary, with the increased proportion of votes from dues-paying members, Honam, which accounts for a large share of the party's total membership, is considered a key battleground. The regional primary for Honam will be held on July 26.