The Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung Takes a Defining Step on Veterans and Livelihood Issues on the Fateful Day of His Presidential Bid

Although It Is the Day of Lee Jaemyung's Appellate Court Ruling, Ruling Party Eases Pressure on Opposition
Ruling Party Pays Tribute to Cheonan Ship Heroes at Daejeon National Cemetery and Navy's 2nd Fleet
Ruling Party Halts Relay Press Conferences in Front of Constitutional Court Due to Yeongnam Wildfires
Park Dae-chul: "Will Check on Disaster Victims and Firefighting Efforts in Constituencies"
Kwon Young-se: "We Must Unite to Overcome Disasters... Proposes End to Political Strife"

On the 26th, the People Power Party lowered the pressure on Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, ahead of the appellate court ruling on charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, and instead focused on commemorating the 15th anniversary of the Cheonan Ship 46 heroes and responding to wildfires. This strategy is interpreted as an effort to differentiate themselves by emphasizing veterans affairs, wildfire response, and protection of disaster victims, in contrast to the opposition parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea, which have intensified pressure for President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment and removal.

On the same day at 10 a.m., Kwon Young-se, chairman of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, Kim Sang-hoon, chairman of the Policy Committee, and Lee Yang-su, secretary-general, attended a memorial ceremony held at the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command, where they listened to a briefing on the Cheonan Ship attack incident and paid their respects. Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, also visited the Cheonan Ship 46 heroes' burial site at the National Daejeon Cemetery on the same day.

Unlike the opposition parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea and the Innovation Party of Justice, which held press conferences and performed 108 prostrations near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and around Gwanghwamun to demand President Yoon's impeachment, the atmosphere was different. Previously, the People Power Party had launched a strong offensive against Lee ahead of the second trial ruling on the Public Official Election Act violation. Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, demanded the day before that Lee "make a public promise to accept the appellate court ruling on the election law." Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon also stated, "Justice must be realized." Joo Jin-woo, the party's legal advisory chairman, speculated in a video posted on his YouTube channel the day before that the probability of Lee receiving a fine was low and that the possibility of disqualification from office was virtually nonexistent, mentioning the second trial process and key issues.

Several statements commemorating the Cheonan Ship 46 heroes were also released. Kim Dae-sik, chief spokesperson for the party's floor, said in a statement, "The Cheonan Ship was not just a single warship but represented the Republic of Korea's will to protect freedom and peace," adding, "We will establish a thorough security posture to ensure that young lives are never sacrificed without reason again." Senior spokesperson Shin Dong-wook emphasized, "The government has upgraded the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs to enhance respect for national heroes and is making significant efforts to build economic and medical systems for them," and stressed, "We will create a country where uniformed heroes are respected and honored, and furthermore, a country where wearing a uniform is a source of pride."

Next-generation presidential candidates from the ruling party also joined the 15th anniversary memorial activities for the Cheonan Ship heroes. Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon visited the National Daejeon Cemetery the day before and said, "The Republic of Korea must be a country that remembers the Cheonan Ship heroes and the Yeonpyeong naval battle heroes until the end," emphasizing, "Ultimately, what kind of country we are depends not only on what kind of figures we produce but also on what kind of figures we remember and honor for a long time." Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who visited the Navy's 2nd Fleet Command on the same day, urged on his Facebook the day before, "I hope Democratic Party politicians who held outdoor rallies shouting 'Impeach Yoon Seok-yeol' will join in commemorating the heroes this week at the Pyeongtaek 2nd Fleet and the National Daejeon Cemetery." Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will attend the 'Light of Immortality' lighting ceremony held at Cheonggye Plaza at 7:30 p.m. on the same day, an event honoring the victims of the Cheonan Ship attack, the Yeonpyeong bombardment, and the Second Battle of Yeonpyeong.

The party also pledged to support efforts to extinguish large-scale wildfires in the Yeongnam region. After the memorial ceremony, Chairman Kwon told reporters, "During this ongoing national crisis, I believe we must at least stop political strife and unite before the people to overcome the disaster. In that regard, I propose that all political parties suspend their political conflicts for the time being." He added, "First, our government and ruling party will lead by example. We will mobilize all possible means to alleviate the people's sorrow and pain through actions rather than words." The party plans to immediately activate a special committee on wildfire disasters.

Floor leader Kwon also instructed People Power Party lawmakers, "Lawmakers from Gyeongbuk, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam are requested to visit their constituencies tomorrow," and urged, "Please devote all efforts to wildfire prevention activities, volunteer work, alleviating residents' anxiety, and managing public sentiment together with key local party officials and members." He emphasized, "Especially in areas prone to wildfires, please focus on prevention and patrol activities, and make sure to visit areas where shelters for disaster victims have been set up to offer warm consolation and encouragement to residents," adding, "However, please be especially careful not to interfere with the on-site activities of firefighting and rescue authorities, and actively cooperate and coordinate with local governments and related agencies as needed."

Additionally, People Power Party lawmakers decided to suspend the relay press conferences demanding the dismissal or rejection of President Yoon's impeachment that had been held in front of the Constitutional Court. Lawmaker Park Dae-chul stated at a press conference, "The wildfires are spreading nationwide, and public concern is growing at a very serious level. We have decided to temporarily suspend the daily press conferences we have been holding in front of the Constitutional Court," and added, "People Power Party lawmakers will return to their constituencies to check whether disaster victims are facing any inconveniences and to see what assistance is needed for wildfire prevention and firefighting activities on site." He noted, "There are hundreds of thousands of evacuees. As a party prioritizing the people's livelihood, People Power Party has decided to fulfill its responsibilities."

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