"Dissent Existed" Young Members Within the Democratic Party Voice Concerns Over 'Geomsu Wanbak'

Kwon Ji-ung "Very Concerned About This Decision"
Kim Tae-jin "Felt Powerlessness at the Party Meeting... 'Does the Democratic Party Really Want Change?' 고민"

Kwon Ji-woong, Emergency Response Committee member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 28th of last month.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jeong-wan] Within the Democratic Party of Korea, voices of criticism are emerging regarding the adoption of the 'Geomsu Wanbak' (complete removal of prosecutorial investigative authority) legislation as the party's official stance, citing insufficient internal consultation procedures.

On the 13th, Kwon Ji-ung, a member of the Emergency Committee, said at an emergency meeting held at the Daejeon City Party Office, "This decision-making is very concerning." He particularly expressed surprise at reports that the party stance was adopted "unanimously" at the previous day's party meeting, stating, "I was surprised" and "The atmosphere I witnessed on site was very different."

He criticized, "There were differing opinions that were not reconciled before the decision was made," and added, "The results, including the dissenting views, should have been explained."

He continued, "There was a time when state violence overwhelmed society, but now no colleague feels fear of being dragged to the National Intelligence Service for opposing the state or of expressing social voices," and said, "Society has changed, and urgent issues and priorities of the times have shifted."

He expressed concern, saying, "I am afraid that the Democratic Party will run the local elections prioritizing prosecutorial reform again," and added, "I am not confident in appealing for citizens' support." He further stated, "For young people, news of not getting their housing deposits back is scarier than issues with the National Intelligence Service and prosecution," and earnestly hoped for reflection on the presidential election defeat.

Kim Tae-jin, another Emergency Committee member, said, "I, along with other non-parliamentary Emergency Committee members, attended the party meeting for the first time yesterday. Personally, I felt helpless," and added, "Looking back over the past month, I wondered whether the Democratic Party truly wants change."

He continued, "I will not discuss prosecutorial reform, which has already been decided as the party stance, but I ask that you do your best to jointly promote other important issues such as political reform and youth nomination reform promised in the last presidential election, which are as important as prosecutorial reform."

Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Emergency Committee, expressed respect for the Democratic Party's adoption of 'Geomsu Wanbak' as the party stance, stating, "Now that it is a decision made by the party, I clearly respect it."

Chair Park said, "I respect the party stance adopted at the party meeting," but requested, "Please establish a principle to pursue prosecutorial reform more cautiously within the National Assembly and to handle pending livelihood bills and the abolition of the two-member electoral district system for local councils together."

At the previous day's party meeting, Chair Park had expressed a cautious stance, saying, "Prosecutorial reform must definitely be done, and the public wants it, and I also actively support it," but added, "The method and timing need to be discussed more thoroughly."

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