Park Kwang-on: "If President Yoon Does Not Change, It Will Be Recorded as the Worst Democracy Since Direct Elections" (Update)

Demand for Comprehensive Government Reform
"Call for Prime Minister's Dismissal and Cabinet Resignation"
"Facing a Total Crisis of Democracy and Rule of Law"

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized President Yoon Suk-yeol's overall state administration and demanded a comprehensive reform during the negotiation group speech on the 18th. He warned, "If the president does not change now, this five-year term will not only be remembered as a failed presidency but also as the worst democracy since the introduction of direct elections."

In his speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly, Park said, "We demand the dismissal of the Prime Minister and the resignation of the entire cabinet. The Democratic Party will first submit a motion to dismiss the Prime Minister," adding, "The president should start a full-scale personnel reform." He suggested, "That is the way to untangle the tangled political situation and to start communicating with the people. Appoint a unifying figure as Prime Minister after fully reflecting the opinions of the people and the National Assembly."

Park addressed the president, government, and the People Power Party, saying, "Five years may seem long, but it is short. There is not enough time even to do what must be done. No regime can defeat the people." He continued, "Prosecutorial rule may exert power temporarily, but it is not sustainable," advising, "We must not waste time with endless hostility and acts of enmity driven by hatred and the desire for destruction."

Park pointed out, "If you want to remain a successful president, discard the current state administration policy, personnel, and system," and warned, "The danger lines of the rule of law, common sense, and universal values have all been crossed." He cautioned, "The Republic of Korea is facing a total crisis of democracy and the rule of law."

He emphasized, "The constitutional solemnity and unlimited responsibility of the president's term apply every single day from the first to the last day of the term without exception," adding, "Blaming the previous administration does not exempt you from responsibility."

Regarding the nomination of Shin Won-sik as Minister of National Defense, he said, "This crosses the last line concerning the people and the history of the Republic of Korea," questioning, "How can an extreme right-wing asphalt agitation commander be seated as the head of national security?" Concerning the controversy over alleged investigation interference in the case of Marine Corps Corporal Chae, who died during flood recovery efforts, he promised, "The regime-level scapegoating will not succeed. We will clarify the truth and the reality of interference through a special prosecutor." He also stated, "We will clearly hold accountable for the Yangpyeong Expressway gate, the Jamboree fiasco, media destruction, the Itaewon disaster, and the Osong disaster."

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a speech as the representative of the negotiating group at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 18th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

He mentioned the request to the prosecution to send the arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, outside the non-session period, saying, "Insisting on sending the arrest consent motion during the regular session is a political act. I am well aware that rejection is a path of protection and approval is a path of division, and either way, it is a political snare to corner the Democratic Party."

Park stated, "The Democratic Party is not a party to fall into such a flimsy snare," and declared, "We will strengthen party unity based on the unwavering trust of the people and wisely proceed on the path of expansive integration."

Additionally, he declared that if the budget for next year is not significantly increased, the opposition party would prepare an independent budget. He proposed, "I suggest a bipartisan national fiscal management consultative body," emphasizing, "The total expenditure growth rate for next year's budget must be readjusted to over 6%." He added, "If the government and the People Power Party refuse, the Democratic Party cannot properly review the government's proposal," and stated, "We will prepare a new budget jointly with all opposition parties."

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