People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk on Thursday called for a broad opposition alliance to push for a special counsel investigation into the Unification Church, saying that "aligning with the Reform Party is the first step."
"The Lee Jae-myung administration is a ruthless and brutal power unlike anything we have seen before. To stop this, everyone must join forces and fight together," Jang said at the Supreme Council meeting held at a protest tent in front of the National Assembly main building.
"If all opposition parties concerned about the nation and its people unite, we can block the eight bad laws," he added, expressing hope for "meaningful discussions going forward."
"Those who refuse a special counsel are the guilty ones," Jang said. "I am returning to President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party the very words they have always used."
The PPP chairman criticized the Democratic Party for rejecting a special counsel probe into the Unification Church while pursuing a second comprehensive special counsel following the conclusion of three previous investigations. "They want to cover up their own crimes while continuing their insurrection witch-hunt and political retaliation," he said.
"Special Counsel Min Joong-ki heard testimony that the Unification Church gave money to the Democratic Party, yet he sat on it until the statute of limitations nearly expired," Jang charged. "This is a legendary level of biased investigation."
Jang raised suspicions about potential collusion between the president and the special counsel's office. "President Lee Jae-myung intimidated the Unification Church by threatening to dissolve religious organizations at a cabinet meeting right before the trial, effectively silencing them," he said. "How deeply and widely must Democratic Party members and presidential aides be implicated for the president himself to step in and intimidate?"
"They silenced them at an incredible timing using an incredible method," Jang said. "This is clearly a cover-up of power-related crimes involving the president himself. There is no clearer justification for a special counsel."
