Sit-in Protest Against Martial Law Special Prosecutor's Search and Seizure Attempt
Targeting the Speaker: "Openly Siding with the Democratic Party"
Secretariat Filming at Caucus Meeting Criticized as "Aiding the Special Prosecutor"
The People Power Party has launched an indefinite sit-in protest in response to the search and seizure attempts by the special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok, which is investigating cases of insurrection and treason related to martial law. The party is issuing strong condemnations against both the Democratic Party and the special prosecutor, and is also planning legal action, including filing a complaint against special prosecutor Cho Eunseok.
On the 3rd, as attempts to search the People Power Party's floor leader's office continue amid suspicions of obstructing the vote to lift martial law, People Power Party lawmakers are holding a sit-in in front of the floor leader's office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, holding placards that read "Stop the Opposition Suppression Political Retaliation Search." Photo by Yonhap News Agency
On the afternoon of September 3, People Power Party lawmakers continued their standoff with the special prosecutor team, which had come to execute a search and seizure, by sitting on the floor in front of the floor leader's office and the parliamentary administration office in the main building of the National Assembly. Led by floor leader Jang Donghyuk and other senior members, many lawmakers shouted slogans such as "Dismantle the Political Retaliation Special Prosecutor" in strong protest against the special prosecutor team.
The special prosecutor team attempted to enter the People Power Party's floor leader's office and other locations for a search and seizure that afternoon, but was blocked by the lawmakers' resistance. The team had also tried to conduct a search and seizure at these locations the previous day, but withdrew without carrying it out.
The People Power Party argued that, since the National Assembly is classified as a "priority security facility," a search and seizure cannot be conducted without the permission of the Speaker of the National Assembly. However, it is reported that Speaker Woo Wonshik, before leaving the country the previous day to attend China's Victory Day event, instructed the special prosecutor to negotiate voluntary submission with the People Power Party for only about a day.
Regarding this, Jang Donghyuk stated, "(Speaker Woo) gave instructions before his departure yesterday that it would be acceptable to grant permission (for the search and seizure) by this morning," adding, "I believe the special prosecutor is already aware of those instructions." He continued, "If such a message is given, on what grounds would the special prosecutor negotiate voluntary submission? This is very regrettable."
Jang further emphasized, "When the Speaker, who was a member of the Democratic Party, feels he is siding with the People Power Party, the media and the public would perceive him as standing in the middle. But now, he is openly siding with the Democratic Party."
During the emergency caucus meeting that day, People Power Party lawmakers strongly protested when a National Assembly Secretariat staff member entered with a special prosecutor investigator to film the scene. Some lawmakers demanded, "By what authority did you enter another party's caucus meeting?" When it was revealed that the filming had been done by the head of the National Assembly security department, they condemned Secretary General Kim Minki.
On the 3rd, as attempts to search the People Power Party's floor leader's office continue in connection with the investigation by the special prosecutor team led by Cho Eunseok into allegations of obstructing the vote to lift martial law, People Power Party lawmakers are holding an emergency caucus meeting in front of the floor leader's office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Meanwhile, Song Eonseok, the floor leader, is protesting against National Assembly Secretariat officials who were filming the scene. Photo by Yonhap News
Song Eonseok, the floor leader, stated, "Is it not surveillance for Secretariat staff to come and take photos and videos during our caucus meeting? This is absolutely unacceptable. I want to make it clear once again, together with our five million party members, that we will not back down from the special prosecutor's politically motivated and retaliatory search and seizure against the opposition."
In response to the protest, Secretary General Kim Minki, who was present at the scene, said, "I apologize to the lawmakers. I will make sure this never happens again," and added, "I was told the photos were taken for reporting purposes, but I will investigate the matter."
Jang Donghyuk pointed out, "The special prosecutor will attempt to enforce the search and seizure, and will try to indict those protesting as obstructing the investigation. The video footage taken by Secretariat staff could be used to support the special prosecutor's excessive or politically motivated indictments."
The People Power Party also plans to take legal action against the special prosecutor team. Chief spokesperson Park Sunghoon told reporters after an emergency supreme council meeting that day, "The Special Committee for the Protection of Judicial Justice and Prevention of Dictatorship will review the matter and file a complaint as soon as possible."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
