People Power Party Launches Indefinite Sit-in
Protests Against Special Prosecutor's Search and Seizure of Party Offices
On September 3, the People Power Party launched an indefinite sit-in protest in response to the Jo Eunseok special prosecutor team's renewed attempt to search and seize party offices as part of the investigation into the December 3 Martial Law conspiracy and treason allegations. Lawmakers plan to remain on the premises to prepare for the special prosecutor’s search and seizure.
Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and lawmaker Na Kyungwon are holding placards that read "Stop the Opposition Suppression Political Retaliation Search and Seizure" while staging a sit-in in front of the floor leader's office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 3rd. Photo by Yonhap News
Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated at an emergency protest held in the National Assembly’s Rotunda Hall that day, “We strongly condemn the outrageous search and seizure and excessive investigation by the three major special prosecutors, who are scheming to annihilate the opposition.” He added, “We will begin an indefinite sit-in until the search and seizure is thwarted.” That morning, the special prosecutor’s team attempted to re-execute a search and seizure warrant for the People Power Party’s floor leader’s office and the administrative office. The team had also attempted a search the previous day, but withdrew without executing the warrant due to fierce opposition from the party.
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, said, “The political special prosecutor, after raiding the party headquarters-the heart of the People Power Party-is now recklessly attempting to search and seize the floor leader’s office and the parliamentary administrative office, which are also vital to the party. This is deplorable and devastating.”
Jang further emphasized, “On the contrary, seeing the special prosecutor’s search and seizure warrant, I feel as if I see the end of the tunnel. The moment it is revealed that the Democratic Party’s treason accusations are baseless and hollow, the Lee Jaemyung administration’s days will be numbered.”
Na Kyungwon, a People Power Party lawmaker who has been nominated as the opposition secretary for the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also commented, “The Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party have continuously tried to frame the People Power Party as co-conspirators in treason. They have attempted to dismantle the People Power Party and destroy conservatives through media-driven public opinion campaigns.”
Immediately after the protest, lawmakers moved in front of the floor leader’s office and staged a sit-in, holding placards that read, “Stop the Opposition Suppression Political Retaliation Search and Seizure.”
Earlier that day, at an emergency party meeting, floor leader Song also addressed the search and seizure of lawmaker Chu Kyungho, saying, “It is unclear what specific criminal acts are cited in the warrant. The special prosecutor intends to seize everything covering the period from May last year, when former floor leader Chu was elected, up to the day the warrant is executed. Is Jo Eunseok riding a time machine?”
Song further criticized, “Today again, they are on the first floor with a search and seizure warrant. If given the chance, they will storm the floor leader’s office and the parliamentary administrative office on the second floor to seize materials. This is an outright disregard for the opposition.”
During Song’s remarks, some lawmakers directly targeted the special prosecutor’s team, shouting, “They’re crazy,” and, “Jo Eunseok should be arrested.”
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