Minju's "Yoon Government's Humiliating Diplomacy" Full-Scale Offensive... 'Turning Point' Ahead of Lee Jae-myung's Indictment

Lee Jae-myung Representative "Yoon's Humiliating Diplomacy, National Assembly's Truth Investigation"
Prosecution Expected to Indict Lee Without Detention
Focus on Korea-Japan Summit and Jung Soon-sil School Violence Incident

The Democratic Party of Korea on the 20th labeled the South Korea-Japan summit held during President Yoon Seok-yeol's visit to Japan as 'humiliating diplomacy' and launched a relentless offensive against the government and ruling party. The party leadership appears to be attempting a shift in the political landscape by exploiting the worsening public opinion caused by internal party strife triggered by Representative Lee Jae-myung's judicial risks, the 'third-party compensation plan for forced labor,' and the 'restructuring of the 69-hour workweek.'

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, Representative Lee said, "The National Assembly must take strong measures to uncover the truth about the humiliating diplomacy of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration toward Japan," and fiercely criticized the results of the South Korea-Japan summit day after day. He pointed out, "There are reports that issues such as forced labor compensation, GSOMIA (General Security of Military Information Agreement), withdrawal of WTO (World Trade Organization) complaints, as well as territorial claims over Dokdo, comfort women, and the ban on Fukushima seafood imports were all brought to the summit table," adding, "The Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary has acknowledged this, but our government's stance has been inconsistent."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He continued, "Overall, it seems highly likely to be true," and criticized, "If true, it is a shocking matter." Representative Lee stated, "A government with a limited five-year term does not have the authority to arbitrarily deprive victims of war crimes of their rights and make decisions that cause permanent damage to national interests," and added, "The Democratic Party will use all possible means to hold those responsible for this disastrous collusion strictly accountable."

Over the past weekend, the Democratic Party also focused its firepower on criticizing the government's diplomacy toward Japan. On the 18th, Representative Lee personally attended a nationwide rally condemning the South Korea-Japan summit held in front of Seoul City Hall Plaza, denouncing the 'third-party compensation' as a clear violation of the law and criticizing it as a humiliating attitude that would do anything to appease Japan. Party spokespersons released a series of statements over the weekend, six out of eight of which centered on the theme of humiliating diplomacy.

Analysts interpret the Democratic Party's relentless offensive on diplomacy with Japan as an attempt to change the political narrative. Especially this week, as the prosecution is expected to indict Representative Lee without detention over allegations of preferential treatment in the Daejang-dong and Wirye development projects and the Seongnam FC sponsorship fund, the strategy appears to be to strengthen party unity through external attacks. The People Power Party also sharply criticized in a statement the previous day, saying, "They are trying to use this as another shield to defend their own judicial risks through political strife," and urged, "We hope they sincerely face the trial."

On the same day in the afternoon, the Democratic Party held an 'Emergency Roundtable on the Analysis and Evaluation of the Yoon-Kishida South Korea-Japan Summit,' continuing its criticism of the government's humiliating diplomacy. At the National Assembly committee level, they plan to convene the Steering Committee to hold the government accountable for humiliating diplomacy toward Japan and intensify their offensive. Floor Leader Park Hong-geun said at the meeting, "We cannot tolerate the Yoon administration's humiliating diplomacy toward Japan," and added, "The Democratic Party demands the convening of the National Assembly Steering Committee today and will hold those responsible for the humiliating diplomacy toward Japan accountable." He labeled Foreign Minister Park Jin, National Security Office Director Kim Sung-han, and First Deputy Director Kim Tae-hyo as the 'three culprits of diplomatic disaster' and emphasized, "They must take responsibility and resign immediately."

The issue of school violence involving the son of lawyer Jeong Soon-shin is also expected to resurface. The Democratic Party plans to push for a hearing regarding the school violence involving Jeong Soon-shin's son, who was appointed but then dropped as head of the National Investigation Headquarters, at the National Assembly's Education Committee. The agenda item titled 'Adoption of the Plan for Holding a Hearing to Investigate the Truth and Establish Measures Regarding Lawyer Jeong's Child's School Violence' is scheduled for the full Education Committee meeting that day. If the agenda passes, the hearing is expected to be held by the end of this month. The 'Jeong Soon-shin Prosecutor Privilege Investigation Team' also visited the National Police Agency that day to meet with Police Chief Yoon Hee-geun, stepping up efforts to tighten control over the Jeong Soon-shin incident.

Assembly member Kang Min-jung, a member of the investigation team, told reporters after a morning press conference, "I believe there is a high possibility that the hearing will be approved," and added, "We are planning to hold it within March." The Democratic Party plans to demand the attendance of lawyer Jeong Soon-shin himself, the head of the Seoul National University admissions office, and principals of Minjok Leadership Academy and Banpo High School, among other related parties. Kang emphasized, "Lawyer Jeong must appear as a witness," and warned, "If he does not appear, it means shifting responsibility onto his son."

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