Joo Ho-young "Street protests? Discussing with social groups... Will decide based on National Assembly situation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Im Chunhan] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, left open the possibility of an outside protest in response to the ruling party's unilateral passage of legislation on the 9th, stating, "We plan to decide after gathering opinions within the party and observing the situation in the National Assembly."

Right after the party meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Floor Leader Joo told reporters, "I understand there is a meeting of civic groups discussing how to fight," adding this statement.

He said, "We received a notice from all political parties and civic groups calling for the resignation of the Moon Jae-in administration, and tomorrow at 7 a.m., I will attend the meeting with Secretary-General Jeong Yang-seok," and added, "I will attend that meeting, gather opinions within the party, and decide while watching the National Assembly situation."

Regarding his official request for a meeting with President Moon, he said, "I understand the spokesperson has called the Blue House officials and even sent documents," urging acceptance of the meeting.

He also requested a meeting with President Moon on his Facebook following his remarks at the party meeting that day.

Addressing President Moon, Floor Leader Joo said, "The National Assembly is turning into ruins. Since the establishment of the 1987 system, the parliamentary democracy practices and values we have upheld have all crumbled," emphasizing, "I say this because I believe in the sincerity of the president’s repeated remarks that 'cooperation is most important.'"

He continued, "The Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly, the last bastion that checked the ruling party’s unilateral rule and arbitrariness, has become a department solely responsible for the ruling party’s 'smash-and-grab' and 'forced passage,'" criticizing, "The National Assembly Act is not a law made for the party holding the majority of seats to do as it pleases."

He expressed concern, saying, "Yesterday, the amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act, which has not even been implemented yet, was passed by smash-and-grab in the Judiciary Committee. Once the CIO is launched, its first case will be the investigation of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, and it will degenerate into an organization for suppressing the opposition," questioning, "Is this the final destination of the prosecutorial reform dreamed of by former President Roh Moo-hyun and President Moon?"

Floor Leader Joo pointed out, "The current ruling power believes the CIO will be an all-purpose shield that protects the regime and guarantees President Moon’s post-presidency," but he warned, "However, South Korea is now a highly advanced and complex society that cannot be led according to the beliefs and insights of a single faction."

He added, "If the ruling party’s standing committee chairs and the National Assembly leadership continue to wage a Terminator-like war over bill passage, tomorrow’s South Korea will be a different world from today’s," and concluded, "It is not too late even now. To prevent the collapse of South Korean democracy, I want to sit down with the president and have an open and frank discussion about the current political situation."

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