Lee Jae-myung: "The runaway power in the regular National Assembly session must be corrected for derailed state affairs"

Final Remarks at the Democratic Party Workshop on the 29th
"Government and Ruling Party, a Shipwreck with a Broken Rudder" Criticism

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized regarding the regular National Assembly session starting on September 1, "In the last regular session of the 21st National Assembly, the Democratic Party must correct the runaway power and the derailed state affairs with its own hands."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 29th, Lee made these remarks while concluding a two-day workshop for lawmakers held in Oak Valley, Wonju, Gangwon Province, addressing the government and ruling party by saying, "The rudder is broken, drifting like a shipwreck."

Lee stated, "In all areas including the livelihood economy, diplomacy and security, and public safety, the country is regressing and the lives of the people are like candles flickering in the wind," adding, "We must ignite the spark for economic recovery and also thoroughly investigate numerous suspicions that undermine democracy and the rule of law."

He also said, "We must create new hope for the people who are crying out that the country is in a state of anarchy," and added, "Although there are many difficulties, if all 168 (Democratic Party lawmakers) unite and move forward together, we can surely overcome any trial and adversity."

Meanwhile, after the workshop, Lee met with reporters but did not respond at all to questions about the prosecution's re-notification of his summons on September 4 regarding the alleged North Korea remittance by Ssangbangwool Group, the scheduling issues, and the fact that the innovation proposals presented by the Innovation Committee were not discussed during the workshop, leaving the venue without comment.

Park Sung-joon, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, explained after a briefing that regarding Lee’s prosecution appearance, "As mentioned yesterday, Lee has a schedule at the end of August and the National Assembly schedule in September, so he informed the prosecution that it would be better to appear on September 11, when there is no plenary session. However, the prosecution insisted on September 4," adding, "It can be seen that the schedule for the prosecution investigation is being coordinated."

When asked why the prosecution specified September 4 as the date for appearance, Park said, "Didn’t the prosecution initially say August 30? That date was leaked to the media first," and criticized, "There was a workshop on the 28th and 29th, a field supreme council meeting on the 30th, and a first anniversary press conference on the 31st. I think the prosecution is conducting its own political acts."

Earlier, the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office requested Lee’s lawyer by phone and in writing on the 28th to appear on September 4. Lee indicated his intention to appear before the prosecution during the week when there is no plenary session in the September regular National Assembly, but this has been interpreted as a refusal. On the 23rd, the prosecution also summoned Lee for the 30th, but Lee countered by saying he would go on the 24th, engaging in a power struggle.

When reporters asked if there are plans to propose a new date to the prosecution, Park replied, "That is under discussion," and said, "The prosecution mentioned August 30, and we suggested the week of September 11, but the prosecution insists on the 4th again. If this continues, a schedule will eventually be set."

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