With "Rejection Means the Fall of the 386 Activists"... Opposition Pressure Over 'Lee Jae-myung Arrest Proposal'

People Power Party Emphasizes 'Approval' Toward Democratic Party
Joo Ho-young: "Hope Not to Be Ashamed Before History and the People"

On the 27th, when the vote on the arrest consent bill for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, was underway, the People Power Party intensified its pressure campaign against the opposition party.

Jung Jin-seok, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated at the emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "If the arrest consent bill for Lee is rejected due to the Democratic Party's opposition, we will witness the downfall of the 386 activist generation that has sustained the 1987 regime for more than a generation."

Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Jung further pointed out, "The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea belongs to the people, but turning a blind eye to entrenched local corruption and malfeasance that betray the people is a betrayal of sovereignty," adding, "Not a single 386 politician has spoken out against this entrenched corruption and malfeasance. It is a cowardly silence."

He then criticized, "Why are the democratic fighters who risked their lives opposing the ruthless authoritarian government today keeping their mouths tightly shut?" and asked, "Is it because they are hanging on to the nomination rights held by the party leader?"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader, also emphasized at the emergency committee meeting that day, "Today's vote will determine whether the Democratic Party can still call itself a democratic party, whether they keep their pledge to give up parliamentary immunity, whether each member of parliament has a conscience as a constitutional institution, and whether they are a party that fights against public opinion or serves it," adding, "I hope there will be a decision that is not shameful before history and the people."

Sung Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, said, "What the people want is the conscience of a healthy Democratic Party," and added, "I hope it becomes a party of the people, not Lee Jae-myung's private party, and a party of national interest, not a predatory party."

Jung Jeom-sik, emergency committee member and People Power Party secretary of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, criticized, "The Democratic Party leadership and pro-Lee faction members are united in calling for protection, and the previously faint voices of opposition have become blurred, so the likelihood of rejection is high," adding, "Rejection will bring about a case of losing the forest for the trees for the Democratic Party."

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