Jo Eung-cheon: "The relay of certifying the rejection of the arrest motion is like stepping on the cross... Lee Jae-myung should request approval"

"Ruling Party Can Blow Away Mockery of 'Bulletproof Fasting'"

As the prosecution filed an arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, the day before, and a vote on the arrest motion is expected to take place as early as the 21st, Cho Eung-cheon, a non-Lee faction Democratic Party lawmaker, criticized Lee's hardcore supporters for conducting a "cross-stepping certification relay."

On the 19th, Cho said on YTN's "News King Park Ji-hoon" program, "This is exactly cross-stepping, what is commonly called 'I have stepped on the cross' at the back," criticizing the act.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Cross-stepping refers to the practice in medieval Japan where Christians were forced to step on a cross to identify them, symbolizing the suppression of freedom of conscience. This term was used to describe the trend among hardcore supporters who are spreading the act of certifying that lawmakers have promised to vote against the arrest motion like a fad.

Cho said, "Hardcore supporters will continue to pressure, and lawmakers responding to that certification are steadily emerging," adding, "Honestly, that is a voluntary surrender of constitutional rights."

He further emphasized that "even if this passes, the best way to avoid division is for the leader to ask for approval, as he mentioned in June," urging Lee to directly request supporters and lawmakers to approve the motion.

Cho said, "If that happens, since it is a public promise, even if it passes, it is not a rebellious vote," adding, "It becomes a party that keeps its public promises, so there can be no division." He also mentioned that even if the motion is rejected, Lee would have an 'alibi' as the party leader.

Cho also stressed that Lee's direct request for approval is one way to counter the ridicule from the presidential office and the ruling party. He said, "By making that statement, it counters the mocking from the ruling party and the presidential office, who sneer and call it a 'bulletproof hunger strike.' It can dispel that," adding, "I know it will be difficult for the leader, but please once again clearly declare what you said in the June negotiation group leader's speech."

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