"Cannot Tolerate the Ten Main Culprits of Insurrection"... Park Chan-dae to Push for 'Second Fifth Republic Hearing'

Park: "The National Assembly Will Summon and Question the Suspects"

Park Chan-dae, a lawmaker running for party leader in the Democratic Party's August 2 convention, announced on July 17 that he would push for a second Fifth Republic hearing, stating, "We can no longer tolerate the main culprits of insurrection inside and outside the National Assembly."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly's communication center that afternoon, Park declared, "I will put an end to insurrection by holding a second Fifth Republic hearing targeting the ten main culprits of insurrection inside and outside the National Assembly."

The Fifth Republic hearing was the first hearing in South Korea's constitutional history, conducted by the 13th National Assembly's Special Committee on Fifth Republic Corruption and the Special Committee for the Investigation of the Gwangju Democratization Movement, to investigate corruption during the Fifth Republic and uncover the truth about the May 18 Democratization Movement, held from November 2, 1988, to December 31, 1989.

Regarding the previous day's demand by Yoon Heesook, chair of the People Power Party's Innovation Committee, for lawmakers Jang Donghyuk, Song Eonseok, Yoon Sanghyun, and Na Kyungwon to clarify their positions, Park questioned, "Where are Choo Kyungho, Kwon Seongdong, and Kwon Youngse, who obstructed the National Assembly vote? And why is there no mention at all of Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Keon Hee, and Kim Yonghyun, the instigators of insurrection in the presidential office?"

Yonhap News Agency

He also pointed out that some courts are holding closed trials related to the December 3 martial law, stating, "These people are blocking the truth. The public deserves to know who gave what orders, how the National Assembly was neutralized, and why power was abused or condoned. This must be recorded in history," and emphasized, "The National Assembly must take action. Now is the time for a hearing. Representing the people, who are the victims of insurrection, the National Assembly will summon the suspects directly and question them in front of the public."

He continued, "Just as with the Fifth Republic hearing, there are many who must be summoned for the December 3 insurrection hearing, and many hidden truths that must be uncovered and revealed. There could be ten, twenty, or even more culprits," he said, stressing, "We will disclose every detail of the insurrection to the public. We will ultimately bring out the truth and change the course of history."

Park also appealed for support by noting that he had taken the lead in ending the insurrection during the December 3 martial law situation and the recent early presidential election, and that he had recently introduced a special bill to end the insurrection. He stated, "I am the only one who has prepared, planned, and executed special prosecutions, special laws, hearings, and parliamentary investigations for the complete end of insurrection," and asked, "For the complete end of insurrection and the fulfillment of thorough reform, give candidate number 2, Park Chan-dae, a chance."