Why Chun Haram Said "I Don't Think I Could Eat" on His Way to a Luncheon at the Presidential Office

Ending 19-Hour Filibuster, Chun Heads to Presidential Office
Meets with Jang Donghyuk, Who Is on Hunger Strike
"Calls for President to Exercise Right to Request Reconsideration of Special Prosecutor Bill"

Chun Haram, floor leader of the Reform New Party, ended the filibuster on January 16 and headed to the presidential office for a luncheon with President Lee Jaemyung. Chun announced that he plans to ask President Lee to exercise his right to request reconsideration (veto) regarding the comprehensive special prosecutor bill promoted by the ruling party.

Chun concluded the filibuster at 10:30 a.m. that day. Having started his speech at 3:40 p.m. the previous day, he said, "I wanted to see the filibuster through to the end, even more so than Representative Jang did during the previous 24-hour filibuster, but I had to cut it short due to a scheduled appointment," adding, "I will continue to share with the public what I wanted to say."

Yonhap News Agency

Chun plans to recommend that President Lee exercise his veto against the comprehensive special prosecutor bill. He stated, "There is only one reason I decided to stop the filibuster and head to the presidential office now," explaining, "I intend to request President Lee, who holds the right to request reconsideration, to exercise it against this bizarre special prosecutor bill, which would normalize special prosecutors and turn the second comprehensive special prosecutor into a Democratic Party-affiliated special investigation unit."

Initially, Chun had planned to address issues related to the introduction of a runoff voting system in the upcoming local elections, exchange rates, and youth unemployment. However, he explained, "Due to time constraints, I will focus on blocking the comprehensive special prosecutor bill and pushing for special prosecutors on the Unification Church and cash-for-nomination scandals."

Chun continued the debate by expressing his opposition to the special prosecutor bill, stating, "There seems to be no limit to special prosecutors for President Lee and the Democratic Party," and pointed out, "Yet, not a single special prosecutor is allowed for President Lee or the Democratic Party. How is this not hypocrisy?" He went on to criticize, "Using the sharp sword of the special prosecutor only for political retribution against the previous administration, but refusing to use it for the public good-such as eradicating collusion between politics and religion and ending cash-for-nomination practices-is a double standard and hypocrisy."

Meanwhile, after meeting with reporters, Chun immediately visited Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, who is on a hunger strike. Chun stated, "I will do my utmost to ensure the passage of the dual special prosecutor bills and will cooperate closely." Referring to Jang's hunger strike, he added, "I don't understand why the filibuster had to be scheduled for today, forcing an extreme confrontation with the opposition and preventing Representative Jang from attending. I don't think I could eat either under these circumstances."