Joo Ho-young: "The Ruling Party Shows a Lone Dictatorship... Refuses Chairman Park's Moderation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Im Chunhan] On the 15th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, evaluated the end of the filibuster (unlimited debate) situation by saying, "The Democratic Party of Korea is now neither 'Democratic' nor 'Together.' It has shown the appearance of a one-man dictatorship party." He also criticized Park Byeong-seok, the Speaker of the National Assembly, who participated in the filibuster vote, and declared that he would refuse to preside over future sessions.

On the same day, Joo held a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly in the morning and said, "In a few days, we have witnessed together with the people the collapse of parliamentary democracy, the rule of law, and democracy in South Korea."

He sharpened his remarks by saying, "We have witnessed that when the regime and the ruling party become arrogant, they inevitably collapse within a short period of time," and "Those people still seem intoxicated by power and the number of lawmakers, forgetting the fear of public opinion and the laws of history." Joo said, "They even forcibly stopped the filibuster by power and silenced the opposition," raising his voice, "It seems they have not yet learned a lesson from the problems of the lease law that was unilaterally passed a few months ago."

Joo also said, "What is more disappointing is that Speaker Park himself walked down from the speaker's chair for two days and gave up his position," adding, "Especially when the filibuster on the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act was stopped, he barely got 180 votes in favor by attending himself. It is absolutely unacceptable that the speaker, who should remain neutral, sided with a particular party not on the content of the bill but on the parliamentary procedure." He declared, "I will no longer recognize Speaker Park as the Speaker of the National Assembly," and "I will refuse to preside over sessions conducted by Speaker Park."

Regarding the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), Joo said, "The president should directly explain to the people in detail how vaccines will be procured, how hospital beds are secured, and how the shortage of medical staff will be addressed," adding, "It is regrettable to see them flustered over important matters while boasting about the baseless K-quarantine."

He also mentioned the second disciplinary committee meeting for Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, saying, "The composition of the disciplinary committee, the reasons for discipline, and the process will remain a shameful scene in the history of the rule of law and the Ministry of Justice and prosecution," and criticized, "Not only did they gather reasons that do not even qualify, but the person involved in fabricating and distorting the disciplinary action has become a disciplinary committee member. Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae and the regime are doing this without batting an eye."

Joo urged, "Even the procedures should be properly followed, but it seems like watching Minister Choo's last desperate struggle," and "I ask the angry power of the people to correct the collapse of democracy."

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