Protest Rally Against the Government and Ruling Party at Jang Donghyuk's Hunger Strike Site
Full-Scale Offensive with Protest in Front of the Blue House on the 20th
On January 19, the People Power Party held a protest rally, launching a full-scale offensive by urging the Democratic Party to accept the "dual special prosecution bill" regarding allegations of nomination bribery and financial dealings involving the Unification Church. As Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, continued his hunger strike for the fifth consecutive day, the party requested the postponement of all scheduled standing committee meetings for the week.
Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and party members shouted slogans on the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly on the 19th, demanding the Democratic Party accept a joint special investigation into the Unification Church and nomination bribery. Photo by Yonhap News
Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, held a protest rally at the National Assembly Rotunda immediately after a closed-door caucus that day, stating, "Leader Jang is risking his life by continuing a hunger strike in the middle of the National Assembly. For an opposition leader to go so far as to stop eating and go on a hunger strike, the situation must be dire," once again urging acceptance of the dual special prosecution bill.
Song further emphasized, "In the face of power that tries to bury the truth, the leader of the main opposition party is desperately crying out for the people. If the Democratic Party is not afraid of the truth, it has no justification to reject the dual special prosecution bill. Anyone who refuses the special prosecution is a criminal."
Yoon Sanghyun, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, stated, "The dual special prosecution bill is a demand for fairness and for upholding constitutional order across the entire political sphere. If the Democratic Party truly wants to talk about law, justice, and fairness, it must accept a special prosecution with the same standard for allegations within its own ranks." He added, "The special prosecution that the Democratic Party is talking about is not about justice, but merely a shield to protect its own power."
Lim Ija, another People Power Party lawmaker, said, "Leader Jang's hunger strike is a sacrifice for the coming of spring and a flame of conscience that the people will not forget. We will condemn the power that avoids the dual special prosecution and fight together until the truth comes to light."
The People Power Party requested that all activities, including special committee work, be suspended in each standing committee until Leader Jang's hunger strike comes to an end. The party's parliamentary administration office announced on the same day, "We will postpone all scheduled standing committee meetings for this week and unite our efforts behind Leader Jang's resolute actions."
The People Power Party plans to continue its offensive by holding another protest rally in front of the Blue House in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of January 20, demanding acceptance of the dual special prosecution bill.
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