"Judicial Hunt Disguised as Rule of Law"... 2,500 Gathered for 'Lee Jae-myung Arrest Warrant'

Minju Holds Emergency Joint Meeting Followed by Prosecutor Condemnation Rally
Allegations Raised of Presidential Office Involvement in Lee Jae-myung's Arrest Warrant

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] "Condemning the prosecutor dictatorship, opposition party destruction, and the obliteration of democracy," "Stop the abuse of power, retaliatory investigations, and the destruction of the rule of law"

On the 17th, the day after the prosecution requested an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the National Assembly was filled with blue balloons. At the prosecution condemnation rally hosted by the Democratic Party, 2,500 party officials and supporters of Lee attended, showcasing their strength. Among the procession was a large banner reading "Condemnation Rally Against the Yoon Seok-yeol Regime's Prosecutor Dictatorship," and the voices of supporters shouting "Lee Jae-myung" echoed throughout.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, Park Hong-geun, floor leader, members of the National Assembly, party committee chairpersons, and party members are holding the "Condemnation Rally Against Prosecutorial Dictatorship under the Yoon Seok-yeol Administration" on the stairs in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party focused all efforts on a government offensive by holding an emergency joint meeting of nationwide regional chairpersons and lawmakers at the National Assembly, followed by the "Condemnation Rally Against the Yoon Seok-yeol Regime's Prosecutor Dictatorship."

At the party's Supreme Council meeting held that morning, Lee strongly reacted, saying, "Democracy and the rule of law have been brutally trampled by the blade of the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecutor dictatorship regime," and "The atrocities of the Yoon Seok-yeol regime are judicial hunts disguised as the rule of law and are extremely violent acts that will stain history."

He cited an old proverb, "The axe handle rots in the fresh water game," directly criticizing, "The Yoon regime, which does not realize it is ruining people's livelihoods with power games." He continued, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government should control prices first, not Lee Jae-myung," and launched an offensive, saying, "The lives of the people are full of pain. Prices continue to soar above 5%, household income is declining, and employment growth is steadily falling, yet President Yoon does not hear the pain and sighs of the people."

At the emergency joint meeting of nationwide regional chairpersons and lawmakers of the Democratic Party, he continued his fierce attack, saying, "We gave them authority to improve the country's finances, pioneer the nation's future, and take care of people's livelihoods, but they are using that authority to eliminate political opponents, seize power, and maintain power while neglecting people's lives." He added, "They are even fabricating facts to destroy the opposition party, committing unprecedented atrocities in the history of the Republic of Korea's constitutional government."

The Democratic Party explained that 250 people attended the joint meeting.

Presidential Office Directs Prosecutor Investigation... Suspicions Raised Over Presidential Office's Involvement in Prosecutor's Warrant Request

The Democratic Party also pointed to the possibility of President Yoon's involvement, focusing on remarks by a Presidential Office official that additional warrants might be requested against Lee. Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, said, "Since last year, officials from the Presidential Office have issued new 'tail-chasing' warrant guidelines, saying that one warrant will not be the end for Lee Jae-myung," adding, "This is evidence that the executive branch, which should remain neutral, is actively interfering in the prosecution investigation." After the joint meeting, Lee also met with reporters and said, "It seems the Presidential Office is the spokesperson office of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office," sharpening his stance.

Kim Eui-gyeom, Democratic Party spokesperson, mentioned the Presidential Office's behind-the-scenes involvement in Lee's investigation during a press briefing after the Supreme Council meeting, calling it "an intolerable matter that goes beyond merely suggesting investigation guidelines to directing the investigation."

He added, "Many opinions were raised that this issue should be directly questioned," and "It seems they are approaching the opening of the Operations Committee on the 22nd, and there was a report that they plan to intensively raise and question this issue then."

Kim also conveyed regarding Lee's arrest warrant, "There is content stating that he used his position and influence to conceal the facts and that there is a high risk that he will exert influence over key related persons in the future to prevent unfavorable testimonies or to coerce retractions."

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