[HEADLINE] PPP Slams Pro-Lee Lawmakers' Group as 'Criminal Organization'
[BYLINE] By Heo Jin
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) leadership launched a fierce attack on a newly formed group of Democratic Party lawmakers seeking to drop charges against President Lee Jae-myung, calling it "insane," "a criminal organization," and "a Venezuela-style attempt to destroy the nation."
PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk sharply criticized the group at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on the 22nd. "To borrow the exact words of pro-government godfather Yoo Si-min, this is simply insane," he said.
"The court has already ruled that presidential immunity from prosecution applies only to the filing of charges, not to maintaining prosecution," Jang added. "That's why investigations are possible, and trials against President Lee must resume."
The chairman noted that recent polls from late January showed more than half of respondents believe President Lee's trial should resume. "The Democratic Party should look at the people, not just the president," he said.
Senior Supreme Council Member Shin Dong-wook delivered a direct rebuke: "This prosecution dismissal group is truly shameful. Politically speaking, I believe it is no different from forming a criminal organization."
Shin cited the recent first-instance verdict against former President Yoon Seok-yeol, saying it provided "a clear interpretation of the controversial Article 84 of the Constitution." He added, "There is no argument for halting ongoing trials just because someone is president."
Supreme Council Member Cho Kwang-han characterized the group's formation as "a concrete and practical declaration to abandon the legislature's fundamental role of checking executive power."
"This is a ruinous attempt to dismantle the separation of powers—the foundation of democracy—and create a Venezuela-style merger of the three branches of government," Cho said.
He warned: "In modern civilized nations, the criminal justice system serves as the final arbiter between politics and power, sustaining the state. It is the foundation and last bastion of national existence. That foundation is now crossing the threshold of collapse, driven by numerous Democratic Party lawmakers who wish to turn it into a handmaiden of the supreme leader."
[DISCLAIMER] This article was automatically translated from Korean using AI. For accuracy, please refer to the original article.