"Regret Over the Special Prosecutor's Excessive Search and Seizure"
"Will Cooperate in Uncovering Yoon's Abuse of Power"
"People Power Party Should Stop Paying Attention to Leader Lee Junseok"
Regarding the special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki conducting a search and seizure at the home of Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform New Party, on July 28, the Reform New Party stated, "A special prosecutor's search and seizure carried out on the very first day of the new leadership's term is bound to create political misunderstandings," and added, "We cannot dispel suspicions that this is a politically motivated attempt to publicly embarrass us."
Cheon Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, is speaking at an emergency press conference held by the Reform New Party at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 28th, when the special prosecutor team led by Min Jungki investigating allegations against First Lady Kim Gunhee conducted a search of Reform New Party leader Lee Junseok's residence. Photo by Yonhap News
Chun Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning and said, "The new leadership was launched at yesterday's party convention, and the first official meeting of the new executive committee should have taken place today. However, due to the excessive search and seizure by the special prosecutor, we were unable to hold the first executive meeting of the third leadership, which we deeply regret."
Floor leader Chun pointed out, "Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, the Reform New Party has been at the forefront of recognizing the need for a special investigation into Kim Keonhee and has actively pushed for it. Lee has already submitted various materials related to candidate nominations for the recent by-elections and has cooperated actively, which the prosecution authorities are well aware of."
He continued, "Nevertheless, disregarding the genuine necessity for compulsory investigation by the special prosecutor, today, the very day the Reform New Party leader's term begins, they are pushing ahead with search and seizures not only at Lee's home but also at his National Assembly office."
Floor leader Chun emphasized, "If the office of a lawmaker is searched and seized regarding matters that occurred before he even became a lawmaker, this is clearly a threat to the National Assembly. It is a form of intimidation against the constitutional principle of separation of legislative, judicial, and executive powers."
He added, "The Reform New Party will cooperate with fair investigations by the special prosecutor and other investigative agencies, and will also cooperate in uncovering the truth about the abuse of power committed by former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife. However, compulsory investigations that appear to be politically motivated must stop."
Regarding Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, expressing anger over the search and seizure of Lee's office by stating, 'We are outraged together with the people,' Chun dismissed it by saying, "Please stop paying attention to leader Lee Junseok."
Floor leader Chun stated, "It is his (Song's) personal freedom to feel regret alone, but our position on the Kim Keonhee special investigation is completely different from that of the People Power Party. Since the beginning, Lee has actively exposed the wrongdoings of former President Yoon and Kim Keonhee."
He continued, "This is a completely different situation from the main members of the People Power Party, who have clung to the Yoon Sukyeol administration and were complicit in the wrongdoings of former President Yoon and Kim Keonhee. Rather than trying to associate Lee with the so-called 'Yoon core group,' please refrain from showing interest. This matter has nothing to do with the People Power Party, and we will respond separately."
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