DPK Busy Marking 'One Year Since Martial Law'... Seeks to Secure Political Leadership (Comprehensive)

From On-Site Supreme Council Meeting to Citizens' Forum in Front of the National Assembly
Jeong Cheongrae: "We Must Tighten Our Shoelaces Until Insurrection Is Completely Eradicated"

On December 3, marking the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law Incident, the Democratic Party of Korea continued a series of events related to the lifting of martial law together with citizens, seeking to secure political leadership.

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the on-site Supreme Council meeting held on the stairs of the National Assembly Main Building in Yeouido, Seoul, marking the first anniversary of the prevention of the December 3rd insurrection. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Starting the day with an on-site Supreme Council meeting held on the steps in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, party leader Jeong Cheongrae and other party leaders subsequently hosted both the "First Anniversary of the December 3 Insurrection Prevention Citizens' Society Representatives Meeting" and the "First Anniversary of the December 3 Insurrection Prevention Special Forum," clearly expressing their determination to make this a starting point for continued democratic reform and the eradication of insurrection.

At the morning meeting, Jeong emphasized, "If the December 3 illegal martial law was a major insurrection, then smaller insurrections are still constantly stirring," adding, "We must tighten our shoelaces until we have completely eradicated insurrection."

Jeong, who served as the head of the impeachment prosecution team after martial law, recalled the situation at the time, saying, "While appearing before the Constitutional Court, I ran into Yoon Sukyeol, the chief suspect in the insurrection, several times in front of the restroom," and added, "The anxiety during the delay in the impeachment ruling is still vivid, as if it were last night." He also said, "I cannot forget the meaning of the tears I shed, embracing citizens in front of the National Assembly immediately after the impeachment was passed," and evaluated, "With the resilience of K-democracy, we established the Lee Jaemyung administration and created a president who restored the nation's dignity ourselves."

At the special forum held in the afternoon, Jeong stated, "Watching the forces chanting 'Yoon Again,' I am reminded that martial law could be declared again at any time," and added, "The war against insurrection is still ongoing."

The special forum was attended by Jeong Cheongrae, Deputy Secretary General for Digital Future Cha Jiho, Chief of Staff to the Party Leader Han Minsu, Assemblyman Kim Byungjoo, Assemblywoman Jeon Hyunhee, and Acting President of the Democratic Research Institute Song Changwook.

The Democratic Party also announced a bill to designate December 3 each year as the statutory "Democratization Movement Memorial Day." The previous day, the party held a policy caucus and adopted the bill as the party's official position. In relation to this, Floor Leader Kim Byungki explained, "The state will establish a system to responsibly record and commemorate the revolution of light."

On this evening, party leader Jeong and other party leaders, along with Democratic Party lawmakers, plan to join the "December 3 Insurrection and Treason Eradication and End, Grand Social Reform Citizens' March," an event organized by civic groups near the National Assembly. They are also scheduled to attend the "One Year Since the Lifting of Martial Law Commemoration Event" to be held afterward.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.