Jung Cheongrae: "The concealed truth must be uncovered to the end"
Song Eonseok: "The investigation must be legitimate and fair"
People Power Party leadership contenders split over impeachment
Cho Kyungtae: "Ultimately, justice is being realized"
On August 13, the Democratic Party of Korea and other progressive groups welcomed the simultaneous detention of former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife Kim Gunhee, calling it "an inevitable outcome and a signal for the normalization of the nation." They also called for a thorough investigation by the special prosecutor.
Jung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The detention of Kim Gunhee is an inevitable outcome. It is the result of repeated attempts to destroy evidence and numerous instances of obstruction of the investigation. The special prosecutor must fully uncover the truth that has been concealed and fulfill their historical responsibility."
Not only Democratic Party lawmakers such as Park Jie-won and Park Soo-hyun, but also regional leaders like Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Youngrok, Governor of South Jeolla Province, expressed their views on social media, stating that Kim's detention is "an inevitable consequence and a matter of cause and effect."
The Innovation Party for Korea, another progressive force, also released a statement, urging that "not only the prosecutors and political powers who turned Kim Gunhee, a mere petty thief, into a major criminal who deceived the entire Republic of Korea, but also the collaborators who benefited while clinging to their side, must all be brought to justice both in history and in reality."
Yoon Sukyeol's wife, Kim Gunhee, is coming out after the detention hearing (warrant review) held at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 12th. 2025.08.12 Photo by Joint Press Corps
The People Power Party, which produced the Yoon Sukyeol administration, has refrained from making an official statement on Kim's detention, saying, "We have nothing to say," but has expressed dissatisfaction with the special prosecutor's investigation. Song Eonseok, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, said in an interview with YTN Radio, "We hope the special prosecutor's investigation proceeds legitimately, normally, and fairly according to the law and regulations. With three special prosecutors operating simultaneously, it seems as if they are competing to oppress the opposition party."
However, within the People Power Party, party leadership candidates are divided on the issue between those who support impeachment and those who oppose it. Cho Kyungtae, a candidate for party leader, said on Channel A's current affairs program, "The law must be equal for everyone. Ultimately, this is an inevitable outcome, and we are moving in the direction of realizing justice."
On the other hand, Kim Moonsoo, another party leader candidate who enjoys strong support from hardline party members, wrote on social media, "An unprecedented outrage has occurred in constitutional history. Lee Jaemyung's three special prosecutors have committed the atrocity of detaining a former presidential couple at the same time. Immediately after releasing Cho Kuk and Chung Kyungshim, they proceeded to detain the former president and his wife."
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