Jeong Cheongrae on 'KOSPI 6000': "Is the Opposition Upset That People Are Making Money... They Must Cooperate on the Commercial Act"

Cho Heedae's Concerns Over the "Retrial Petition System" Being Unconstitutional Met With "The Constitutional Court Decides That"

Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, celebrated the KOSPI index surpassing 6,000 points for the first time ever on the 25th, saying, "After President Lee Jaemyung took office and the country began to return to normal, the Korea Discount stock market is also on the path to normalization." Aiming at the People Power Party, which opposes the third amendment to the Commercial Act that would make the retirement of treasury shares mandatory, he then retorted, "Are you upset that the stock market is becoming more active and stock prices are rising to 7,000 and 8,000? Are you displeased that the people are making money?"

At a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on this day, Leader Jeong said, "I urge you to immediately halt the filibuster (unlimited debate) and cooperate on the amendment to the Commercial Act, even now. That is the path of patriotism."

(Seoul=Yonhap) Photo by Hwang Gwangmo. Jung Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is making remarks expressing strong determination on the judicial reform bill at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on Feb. 25, 2026. hkmpooh@yna.co.kr(End)

Leader Jeong stated, "No matter how much the People Power Party repeatedly engages in opposition for opposition’s sake and obstructs us at every turn, the train of livelihood reform legislation will continue to run powerfully forward," and added, "After handling the third amendment to the Commercial Act at the plenary session of the National Assembly, we will, according to our timetable and without disruption, proceed with the amendment to the Criminal Act to create the crime of distortion of law, the amendment to the Constitutional Court Act to introduce the retrial petition system to the Constitutional Court, the amendment to the Court Organization Act to increase the number of Supreme Court justices, the amendment to the National Referendum Act to secure voting rights for overseas Koreans, and the special act on administrative integration of South Jeolla Province and Gwangju, among others."

He went on, "As I have repeatedly said, the crime of distortion of law is intended to completely eradicate the outrageous practice of politically motivated prosecutors fabricating indictments," and added, "The retrial petition system is intended to broaden the guarantee of citizens' basic right to sufficient trial, thereby expanding opportunities to resolve the public’s sense of injustice and resentment."

Targeting Chief Justice Cho Heedae of the Supreme Court, who expressed concern that the three judicial reform bills being pursued by the Democratic Party may be unconstitutional, he said, "It seems he is trying to stir up controversy over whether the retrial petition system is unconstitutional or not, but the question of unconstitutionality is decided by the Constitutional Court," adding, "The Constitutional Court’s position is that it is not unconstitutional."

He continued, "Chief Justice Cho keeps talking about unconstitutionality, but with apologies, I want to make it clear that the authority to decide this lies with the Constitutional Court, and I hope he will stop making such off-topic remarks."

Regarding People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk, he pointed out that Jang has yet to respond to his proposal for a one-on-one meeting between party leaders. Earlier, Leader Jeong had proposed talks to Jang, who opposes the special act on the integration of Daejeon and South Chungcheong Province.

Leader Jeong said, "Does Leader Jang oppose balanced national development? Leader Jang’s hometown is also South Chungcheong Province, and my hometown is South Chungcheong Province as well," adding, "Is he afraid to meet me? I hope that even opposition for opposition’s sake will be limited to just one verse."