Lee Junseok Criticizes Jeong Cheongrae's Speech: "Repeating Martial Law Like Boiling Old Soup"

"No Sign of a Cooperative Attitude"
"Speech Filled Only with Provocative Remarks for Shorts"

On September 9, Lee Junseok, leader of the Reform Party, criticized the National Assembly negotiation group speech delivered by Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Lee stated, "Instead of demonstrating a willingness to cooperate before the public, the speech was filled only with provocative remarks, as if it had been prepared to produce short videos targeting hardline supporters for YouTube."

Yonhap News Agency

In a post on social media platform Facebook that day, Lee said, "It was exactly as expected. Jeong Cheongrae was true to form," adding, "I couldn't help but feel bitter watching Representative Jeong's speech today."

Lee pointed out, "In particular, when emphasizing the dangers of martial law, he repeatedly dwelled on facts that even a child would know, as if boiling down old bones for broth. There was no sign of a cooperative attitude to sit down with the opposition and seek solutions to urgent issues facing the public, such as the situation in Georgia, diplomatic challenges, the Yellow Envelope Act, or the controversy over the appointment of the Minister of Education."

He continued, "What is even more concerning is that, under the pretext of 'liquidating martial law,' he even mentioned prolonging the special prosecutor's investigation and establishing a special tribunal. When someone in the past used the pretext of a North Korean threat and social stability to extend martial law and package it as a 'revolution' or 'Yushin,' we clearly called it dictatorship. Ironically, if we justify another exceptional system and long-term authority in the name of ending martial law, that too is merely another face of dictatorship."

Lee added, "The public now wants politicians to show cooperation and problem-solving abilities in the face of current crises, rather than repeating old wounds and engaging in partisan fights," and "If the purpose of responding to these crises is clear, the Reform Party will cooperate with any party."