Stop being Lee Jae-myung's 'defensive shield,' PPP floor leader tells DP

The floor leader of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday accused the liberal Democratic Party (DP) of "legislative overreach" and inciting "political strife."

People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho speaks at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Thursday. [NEWS1]

The floor leader of the conservative People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday accused the liberal Democratic Party (DP) of "legislative overreach" and inciting "political strife."

PPP floor leader Choo Kyung-ho made the remarks during his speech at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, criticizing the DP — which holds a parliamentary majority — for its "reckless" use of impeachment rights.

“During the past 100 days of the National Assembly, which was tainted by political strife, there has been no room for people’s livelihood,” Choo said.

He expressed concern that the DP's "legislative overreach" shows no signs of ending, describing the situation as "truly worrisome."

Choo also pointed out that since the launch of the 22nd National Assembly in May, the DP has introduced seven impeachment bills and 12 special counsel probe bills and held 13 hearings.

The PPP floor leader accused the DP of using impeachment as a "weapon for political conflict." He described the impeachments of former Korea Communications Commission Chairman Kim Hong-il and current chairman Lee Jin-sook as politically motivated efforts to "seize control of broadcasting."

He further condemned the DP's unilateral passage of seven bills without bipartisan agreement, calling it “outright political tyranny.”

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung listens to People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho's speech at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Thursday. [NEWS1]

Choo also argued that the root cause of the current political regression and extreme polarization stems from DP leader Lee Jae-myung’s ongoing "legal risks." Lee is currently involved in several court cases, including charges related to an alleged illegal remittance to North Korea.

Choo urged Lee to stop using his party to shield himself from investigations and trials, suggesting that the DP leader should allow for a swift investigation to prove his innocence. He called on the DP to break free from acting as a "defensive shield" for a single individual and instead refocus on serving the public and preparing for the future.

During his 51-minute speech on Thursday, Choo also addressed other issues, such as the controversy over the release of the treated wastewater from Japan's crippled Fukushima power plant and alleged plans by the government to impose martial law. He criticized the DP for disseminating “outrageous fake news,” arguing that “creating and spreading such baseless rumors treats the public like fools.”

Choo’s remarks followed DP floor leader Park Chan-dae’s parliamentary speech a day earlier, in which Park called on President Yoon Suk Yeol to endorse a special investigation into allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee and irregularities in a military probe into the death of a young Marine last year.

Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae speaks at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

“It is unjust to receive preferential treatment during an investigation simply because of being the president’s spouse,” Park said, referring to Kim’s private questioning in July, conducted outside the prosecution's office.

Kim has been accused of involvement in stock manipulation of Deutsch Motors, a BMW car dealer in Korea, between 2009 and 2012, but she has denied the allegations.

Park also accused the PPP of engaging in “political retaliation” by targeting former President Moon Jae-in and indicting the DP leader. Prosecutors recently named Moon a bribery suspect in an investigation concerning the preferential appointment of his estranged son-in-law as an airline executive.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]