Bae Jin-gyo "Democratic Party Should Be Ashamed of Its Name... Hong Nam-ki and Kim Sang-jo Must Be Replaced"

Justice Party, First Negotiation Group Leader Speech in the 21st National Assembly
Criticism on Economic Policy, Administrative Capital, etc... "Sudden and Absurd... 2040 Anger is Rational"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Bae Jin-gyo, floor leader of the Justice Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea by citing recent issues such as the 'Park Won-soon Seoul Mayor incident' during the first speech by a non-negotiating party in the 21st National Assembly. While criticizing economic policies, he also called for the replacement of Hong Nam-ki, Minister of Economy and Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, and Kim Sang-jo, Chief of the Presidential Policy Office.

In the speech delivered on the afternoon of the 22nd at the National Assembly, Bae said, "Our society is currently caught in a huge whirlpool surrounding the death of a politician who was respected throughout his life and the sexual violence incident," adding, "There are two lawmakers who broke the silence in the National Assembly and took action. I send deep respect and support to these two lawmakers."

He pointed out, "The principle that 'we must stand on the side of the victim and by the victim's standards' is a principle that the Justice Party has upheld," and criticized, "There is no sympathy or healing in shameless politics that claim sexual violence does not fall under 'corruption of elected officials,' which they themselves codified, and in cruel politics that dismiss power-type sexual crimes as mere 'scandals.'"

He continued, "The so-called 'In-guk-gong' controversy signifies the seriously structured gap in our society. This swamp of inequality is a trap dug by the two entrenched ruling parties who have been lenient toward corporate unearned income but stingy toward labor for 30 years while deciding all policies," and also criticized, "The sudden emergence of the administrative capital issue is absurd, and the anger of the 20s to 40s generation is very reasonable."

He added, "In the last 21st general election, the two major parties created satellite parties for proportional representation, stole the people's votes, and illegally took seats. This is an incident where they legislated and immediately committed a crime," and said, "I ask the Democratic Party: Do you have any intention to apologize to the people even now? You should be ashamed of the two letters 'Democracy' attached to the party name." He further said, "Please present any plans you are considering regarding political reform and the electoral system. If there is a plan that can eliminate the politics of the two major parties, the Justice Party is willing to consider anything."

Regarding the current government's economic policy, Bae said, "There is fierce criticism that the 'Korean New Deal' has no deal with workers or citizens, only a deal with large corporations, and is just an 'old deal' that accelerates the existing economy," and urged, "The responsibility for the Korean New Deal project going down the wrong path lies with the economic team led by the Chief of the Presidential Policy Office. Hong Nam-ki, the Deputy Prime Minister, and Kim Sang-jo must be replaced immediately before it is too late."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Bae also appealed for the passage of the 'Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act' and the 'Anti-Discrimination Act' in the National Assembly.

He said, "Yesterday, 13 people were killed or injured in a fire at a logistics warehouse in Yongin. This tragedy would not have happened if the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act had been passed," and added, "Every year, 2,000 workers die. I earnestly appeal for its passage in the July National Assembly."

He also appealed to all parties in the National Assembly, saying, "If you agree that all humans are dignified and equal, please join us in passing the Anti-Discrimination Act in the 21st National Assembly to enrich our society and democracy."

He proposed the introduction of universal employment insurance. Bae said, "The existing employment insurance promoted by the government and ruling party, which adds some special employment types, cannot rescue self-employed people who have to close their shops immediately," and added, "We must apply employment insurance to all citizens and establish a strong income safety net that compensates all workers not only for job loss but also for income loss."

Regarding the 'Nth Room' case, Bae urged, "Please join us in passing the 'Secondary Sexual Violence Victim Protection Act' and the revision of the 'Non-consensual Rape Crime' law." He also said, "Peace is not a matter of left or right, nor of progressive or conservative. I propose the ratification of all past inter-Korean agreements by the National Assembly."

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