Jeong Seong-ho "Lee Jae-myung's Waiver of Immunity Will Ease Criticism of the Bulletproof National Assembly"

Kim Ki-hyun calls the demand for "retroactive application" a "wordplay"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced in his floor speech as the head of the negotiating group in the National Assembly that he would "give up immunity from arrest." Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker known as a pro-Lee (친명) faction leader, evaluated this by saying, "He did well at the right time and in the right way."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 20th, Jeong said on CBS's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show," "At the appropriate time, it helped to ease some dissatisfaction and criticism within the party and also mitigated the public's criticism of the Democratic Party heading toward a shielded National Assembly," referring to the so-called "bulletproof" National Assembly.

The day before, Lee stated in his floor speech at the National Assembly, "I will give up my immunity from arrest regarding political investigations against me. If summoned, I will respond not just 10 times but 100 times as before."

Following the rejection of arrest warrants for lawmakers Roh Woong-rae, and then Democratic Party members Yoon Kwan-seok and Lee Seong-man, it appears to be an effort to break through the solidifying "bulletproof frame." Jeong also conveyed the party atmosphere seriously viewing the "bulletproof frame," saying, "Within the party, there was discussion about whether we are receiving too harsh criticism for the shielded National Assembly due to the rejection of arrest warrants for Yoon and Lee, and what we would do if an arrest warrant for the party leader comes."

He said, "It is not too late at any time. As far as I know, the prosecution is intensively investigating Ssangbangwool related to North Korea remittances. Also, investigations are ongoing in Jeongja-dong and Baekhyeon-dong," adding, "In this situation, if they try to arrest me at this appropriate time, let them do it. Declaring that I will follow the proper judicial procedures was timely and well done."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, demanded retroactive application of the arrest warrants for Lee and Yoon in response to Lee's declaration of "giving up immunity from arrest." Regarding this, Jeong said, "Once processed, it cannot be processed again, can it?" and raised his voice, saying, "If they say this knowing that, it is wordplay. If they say they will process it again in the National Assembly, it is an instruction for the prosecution to quickly request the warrant again."

When asked by the host, "If the arrest warrants for Yoon and Lee are requested again, will you approve them in the National Assembly this time?" he replied, "It is a matter for constitutional institutions and lawmakers to judge according to their conscience and sense of duty. Who can say anything about that?" and added, "No one can say anything about it."

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