Han Byungdo: "National Emergency... People Power Party Must End National Assembly Boycott"

"Abandoning the People's Livelihoods, Obsessed with 'Yoon Again' Rallies"

Ruling Party Pushes Ahead with U.S. Investment Act and Prosecution Reform Bills as Planned

Han Byungdo, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a warning to the People Power Party on March 5, stating, "Stop the boycott of the National Assembly and the walkout harming people's livelihoods immediately," and questioned, "What is the People Power Party, as the main opposition party, doing right now in this national emergency?"

At the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Han emphasized, "Amid rising military tensions in the Middle East, uncertainty in the financial markets and the real economy has increased. The government is operating a joint emergency response team around the clock, mobilizing all efforts in every sector, including the financial markets, energy supply, supply chains, diplomacy, and national security. The National Assembly must also urgently prepare measures for the people's livelihoods and the economy."

Han Byungdo, the Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly on March 5, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He criticized, "(The People Power Party) has long abandoned the issues affecting people's lives and is obsessed only with off-site rallies like 'Yoon Again,' carrying out a boycott of the National Assembly. Core standing committees such as the National Defense Committee and the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, chaired by People Power Party lawmakers, are virtually in a state of shutdown."

Floor Leader Han also pointed out, "Even the generational task of integrating Daejeon and South Chungcheong, and Daegu and North Gyeongsang, has come to a standstill due to the People Power Party's wavering and unreasonable obstruction."

He continued, "They are even using the Middle East crisis as a means to prolong their own political survival, further stoking public anxiety," and urged, "If you are a truly responsible political party, return to the National Assembly immediately."

Floor Leader Han stated, "The Democratic Party will push ahead with the Special Act on Investment in the United States without delay," adding, "Yesterday, we convened a plenary session and introduced the Korea-U.S. Strategic Investment Management Special Act, beginning the review process. Although it is long overdue, it is still fortunate. The Democratic Party will finish this swiftly and accurately, and will create a bipartisan agreement that protects the national interest and the people's livelihoods. We will do our utmost to pass the special act on investment in the United States at the plenary session scheduled for the 12th."

Additionally, referring to the political prosecution fabrication case, he stated, "This is a national crime worse than armed robbery and murder," and added, "The recent revelations in media reports and the Ministry of Justice's report regarding the investigation into the Ssangbangwool remittance to North Korea are not only shocking but also infuriating."

Floor Leader Han said, "In the recorded voice of former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Sungtae, he explicitly states that he never gave money to President Lee Jaemyung, and that the prosecution was manipulating the indictment. It is absolutely unacceptable that the prosecution, which should be upholding justice, instead attempted to use state power to destroy individuals. Beginning with the plenary session on the 12th, the Democratic Party will pursue a parliamentary investigation to ensure that the architect of this fabrication is held accountable." He added, "The indictment, built like a sandcastle on false testimony, must be immediately withdrawn."

Han Jeongae, Policy Committee Chair, emphasized that every effort would be made to process the prosecution reform bills. Chair Han stated, "The government's bills for the Serious Crimes Investigation Office Act and the Public Prosecution Office Act have been submitted to the National Assembly. Prosecution reform aims to eradicate the omnipotent political prosecution that holds both investigative and indictment powers in one hand." She continued, "We will thoroughly discuss and deliberate on remaining issues, such as the supplementary investigation authority, and complete prosecution reform legislation that meets the expectations of the public. We also ask the government to do its utmost in preparing for the establishment of the Public Prosecution Office and Serious Crimes Investigation Office, which is now only seven months away."

The Democratic Party announced that regarding the legislation to establish the Serious Crimes Investigation Office and Public Prosecution Office, a public forum will be held jointly with the Korean Bar Association at the Prosecution Reform Promotion Task Force on the 11th, and a comprehensive discussion session will take place on the 16th. As for the government's revised bill, the party indicated that minor technical adjustments are possible. Floor spokesperson Baek Seunga commented, "Since the prosecution reform bill was previously adopted as the party's official position, it will be difficult to make any fundamental changes or revisions. Some minor adjustments may be possible based on the government proposal."

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