Ruling Party's Welcomed People's Power 'First-term Struggle'... "Voluntariness is Key, Expanding Participation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The relay one-person protests in front of the Blue House by first-term members of the People Power Party are drawing attention within the party. Amid the escalating conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, these protests are being evaluated as a major driving force in the party's opposition struggle. With the party overtaking the Democratic Party's approval ratings again after four months, this method of protest is expected to gain even more momentum.

First-term lawmakers of the People Power Party have been continuing their relay protests for seven days since failing to deliver a written inquiry to the Blue House on March 27, demanding a statement regarding Minister Choo's decision to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon from his duties. On the morning of the 3rd, lawmakers Ahn Byung-gil and Kim Young-sik participated in the protest. A party official said, "The protest is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. and continue past midnight."

The relay protests led by first-term lawmakers are characterized by participation during times when there are no parliamentary schedules. The number of participating lawmakers ranges from as few as one to as many as ten. The method has moved away from assigning lawmakers to specific time slots to maintain presence. Lawmakers who protested one day naturally join again the next day or leave the protest site early depending on their schedules. The focus is not on showing strength but on consistently raising their voices.

Since participation is voluntary and does not interfere with legislative activities, there is talk within the party that a new model of protest has been found. It is also being compared to the large-scale weekend mobilizations centered around the party leadership during Hwang Kyo-ahn's tenure, such as the Gwanghwamun rallies. Senior lawmakers also welcome this atmosphere. One senior lawmaker said, "If it starts from the party leadership, it inevitably becomes rigid. It is impressive that first-term lawmakers started this voluntarily."

At the protest site, party leaders including Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in and Floor Leader Joo Ho-young, as well as senior lawmakers such as Chung Jin-suk, Kwon Young-se, and Kim Ki-hyun, visited to offer encouragement. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, and People’s Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo, all potential presidential candidates, also made appearances.

A People Power Party official said, "Until now, the party's speaker was focused on Chairman Kim, and due to public opinion and the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), outdoor rallies became difficult, so there was energy among lawmakers that was suppressed. It seems they have found a new way to naturally continue protests without interfering with parliamentary schedules."

According to a public opinion poll released by Realmeter on the day (for detailed information, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website), President Moon Jae-in’s approval rating fell to the 30% range, and the People Power Party’s approval rating (31.2%) surpassed that of the Democratic Party (28.9%), which is expected to further energize the relay protests.

Already, re-elected and senior lawmakers have expressed their willingness to voluntarily join, indicating that the relay protests are showing signs of expanding beyond first-term lawmakers and regions. A party official said, "Since this struggle was triggered by Minister Choo’s decision to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon, the protests will continue until a conclusion is reached."

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