Jeong Cheongrae: "People Power Party Should Be Dissolved Ten or Even a Hundred Times Compared to the Unified Progressive Party"

Democratic Party Supreme Council Meeting on the 22nd
Jeong Cheongrae: "People Power Party Faces Calls for Dissolution Over Insurrection Allegations"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The People Power Party is a party directly involved in insurrection. Compared to the Unified Progressive Party, it is a party that should be dissolved ten or even a hundred times over."

Yonhap News

At the Democratic Party’s Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido on the 22nd, Leader Jeong said, "Can the People Power Party ever escape the stigma of being a party of insurrection?"

Leader Jeong continued, "During the December 3 Martial Law Insurrection, Representative Chu Kyungho, who was the floor leader of the People Power Party, became a subject of investigation by the special prosecutor for insurrection. The special prosecutor has officially named Representative Chu as a suspect."

He added, "It appears that the special prosecutor will soon summon Representative Chu, who is suspected of obstructing the National Assembly’s vote to lift martial law, for questioning. If the investigation confirms that Representative Chu interfered with the vote, he will become a key participant in the insurrection, and under Article 87 of the Criminal Act, it seems unavoidable that he will face either the death penalty, life imprisonment, or imprisonment or confinement for more than five years."

Leader Jeong stated, "If that happens, there is a high possibility that the People Power Party will become a party that simultaneously holds Yoon Sukyeol, the chief suspect in the insurrection, and key participants in the insurrection as suspects. If Representative Chu is also convicted as an accomplice to Yoon Sukyeol, the chief suspect in the insurrection, the People Power Party will face the public’s outrage demanding the dissolution of the party."

He continued, "I have already proposed an amendment to the Constitutional Court Act that would allow the Cabinet to deliberate on the dissolution of a political party by resolution of the National Assembly. The reason for the dissolution of the Unified Progressive Party was conspiracy to commit insurrection or incitement to insurrection. In light of this precedent, there is no reason why the People Power Party should not be dissolved."

In conclusion, Leader Jeong urged the special prosecutor for insurrection to "thoroughly investigate the allegations that Representative Chu Kyungho obstructed the martial law vote."