Song Eonseok: "Democratic Party Forcing Judicial Destruction... Distorting Justice to Save Lee Jaemyung"

Opening remarks at the People Power Party general meeting on the 23rd

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's three judicial reform bills, saying, "It is virtually a declaration to completely destroy the rule of law, which is the foundation of the Republic of Korea," and claimed that it is "a distortion of the justice system to save 'Private Lee Jaemyung'."

On the 23rd, at a party members' meeting held at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Song criticized, "This move by the Democratic Party of Korea to destroy the judiciary can only be understood as a plan to bulldoze ahead when the judiciary is in its most difficult situation."

The Democratic Party of Korea has reached a consensus to pass the so-called "three judicial reform bills" at the National Assembly plenary sessions to be held from February 24 to March 3, including the introduction of a constitutional complaint against court decisions, an increase in the number of Supreme Court justices, and the creation of a new offense of judicial distortion.

Regarding this, Floor Leader Song said, "When we initially discussed the schedule for the extraordinary session, we agreed to hold plenary sessions on the 12th and 26th, but suddenly the Democratic Party is pressuring us by saying that it will push through these evil laws that will destroy the judiciary at the plenary sessions starting on the 24th."

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd. Provided by Yonhap News

He also condemned the launch of the Democratic Party of Korea's "Meeting Calling for the Cancellation of President Lee Jaemyung's Indictment," saying, "How can such an absurd situation exist?" and added, "Agitation to intimidate judges and prosecutors in order to save a criminal is taking place in the National Assembly, the hall of popular will, and moreover, within the ruling party."

Floor Leader Song also took issue with the publication celebration event of former deputy head of the Institute for Democracy Kim Yong, saying, "A criminal whose conviction is almost certain even at the Supreme Court level is now holding a nationwide book concert tour," and rhetorically asked, "Is this not possible only because he is the closest aide acknowledged by President Lee?"

He went on to raise the level of criticism regarding the investigations into Representative Kang Sunwoo and former minister Jeon Jae-soo, saying, "While the Democratic Party of Korea is rejecting a special counsel investigation into the Unification Church and a special counsel investigation into nomination bribery, the police are endlessly dragging their feet on the investigations," and added, "Is the Democratic Party of Korea, which buys and sells nominations with money and pockets illicit political funds from religious organizations, not truly a corrupt group?"