Jang Donghyuk Criticizes Jeong Cheongrae's Speech: "Deeply Disappointed... A Declaration of War Against the Opposition"

"Who Is Really the President of the Republic of Korea?"
"Attitude Reminiscent of a Yeouido President, Content Like a Soliloquy"
"No Intention of Turning My Back on Politics" Shows Willingness for Cooperation

Jang Donghyuk, representative of the People Power Party, criticized Democratic Party representative Jeong Cheongrae's floor negotiation group leader speech at the National Assembly on September 9, saying, "I expected the dignity of the ruling party representative, but I was deeply disappointed. The attitude was reminiscent of a Yeouido president, but the content felt like a soliloquy in front of a mirror."

People Power Party representative Jang Donghyuk is criticizing Democratic Party representative Jeong Cheongrae's floor negotiation group leader speech at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

After Jeong's speech concluded at the National Assembly that morning, Jang told reporters, "While people's lives are becoming increasingly difficult, the speech was filled more with ideological rhetoric than with stories about people's livelihoods. There was not even an expression of regret or apology for the Korean workers detained in Georgia. Instead, he was busy singing his own praises and self-congratulation."

Jang continued, "Yesterday, President Lee instructed Representative Jeong that the ruling party should make concessions since it holds more power. However, Jeong did not make any concessions; throughout his speech, he only repeated his intention to eliminate the People Power Party. The public will have to judge whether we are truly living in an era of popular sovereignty or in a one-party dictatorship led by the Democratic Party."

He added, "Just as during the Moon Jaein administration, the Democratic Party is now once again obsessed with eliminating the opposition under the pretext of eradicating deep-rooted evils. They are acting as if the rule of law, liberal democracy, and the Constitution of the Republic of Korea are of no importance."

Jang further stated, "Jeong once again emphasized today the need to establish a special tribunal for insurrection. He also insisted that three special prosecutor extension bills must be passed. The special tribunal for insurrection is an anti-constitutional idea that fundamentally undermines the judiciary. If they push this forward, I believe the courts will have to make an extraordinary decision."

Jang also criticized, "The Democratic Party is still trapped in the delusion of reckless giveaways. The so-called 'basic society' is not about restoring livelihoods, but rather a reckless experiment that uses the people's wallets as collateral. The policy of infinitely expanding public rental housing only discourages young people and ordinary citizens from aspiring to own homes. If you put together everything Jeong said today, it ultimately amounts to giving away benefits now at the expense of future generations in order to win votes."

Jang also pointed out the discord between President Lee and the Democratic Party.

Regarding the response if the government organization restructuring bill, including prosecution reform, passes the plenary session on the 25th, he said, "I have no idea what Jeong's position actually is. President Lee called for a more measured approach, so this time, instead of directly amending the Prosecution Office Act, they changed it to only include declarative provisions in the Government Organization Act. Yet, Jeong said today that he would deliver the news of the abolition of the prosecution office as a Chuseok gift."

Jang emphasized, "Who is really the president of the Republic of Korea right now? President Lee also said he would send the Minister of Justice to fully listen to the opposition's opinions, but I have not received any notice as to when the Minister of Justice will actually come."

However, regarding the possibility of a shift toward cooperative governance following Jeong's speech, Jang said, "I have no intention of turning my back on politics. For the sake of people's livelihoods and the public, I am ready to join hands with anyone, anytime."

Jang concluded, "President Lee clearly instructed Jeong that the ruling party should make concessions because it has more. I believe that in the current political landscape, genuine cooperation is possible only when the large ruling party takes the first step to make concessions and reach out. However, Jeong's speech today was not about concessions, but rather a declaration of war against the People Power Party, the main opposition party."