People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk harshly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for pushing through the "judicial distortion crime" bill and the referendum law amendment, warning that "the specter of Nazi dictatorship is being revived."
Jang made the remarks at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th.
"Everyone is opposed except for the Lee Jae-myung regime and his die-hard supporters," Jang said. "The National Court Presidents' Conference clearly stated its opposition, and even the legal community, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and Minbyun (Lawyers for a Democratic Society) have expressed concerns."
He continued, "The referendum law amendment includes a gag provision that would imprison anyone claiming election fraud for up to 10 years. Instead of fixing the election management issues that concern citizens, they want to send those who raise such concerns to prison."
"Our party is fighting back with a seven-night, eight-day filibuster, but the situation is desperate as there is virtually no way to block the bill's passage," Jang added. "They intend to complete President Lee Jae-myung's dictatorial regime by crushing opposition forces, even if it means destroying the constitutional order."
Regarding North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's statement that South Korea should be "excluded from the category of fellow countrymen," Jang said, "It has been revealed that the Lee Jae-myung administration's North Korea policy was ultimately unrequited love."
"They were preoccupied with catering to North Korea's sensibilities by turning off anti-North broadcasts and blocking leaflet distributions," he said. "The Unification Minister apologized twice over the anti-North drone issue and even preemptively mentioned restoring the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement."
"We lowered our own national security posture to win even a little of North Korea's favor, but all we got in return was mockery and cynicism from the North," Jang said. "This is the failure of a North Korea policy bordering on subservience."
"South Korea's security cannot be protected by giving handouts to North Korea," he emphasized. "I urge them to remember that only strong alliances centered on a solid ROK-U.S. alliance, firm principles, and deterrence can maintain peace on the Korean Peninsula."
Jang added, "Whenever North Korea shows this kind of reaction, it is always when they want something. They must clearly explain to the public what they plan to give and whether there are any backroom deals that the public is unaware of."