Han Byeong-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized the People Power Party (PPP) for boycotting the National Assembly's committee formation, urging cooperation on livelihood bills. "If they continue to turn their backs on the people's livelihood to the end, we will have no choice but to make a grave decision," he warned.
Speaking at a Democratic Party policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th, Han said, "Due to the People Power Party's meaningless boycott, 509 pending livelihood bills, the special counsel bill on the National Election Commission, and follow-up legislation for three mega projects are all tied up." He added, "Yet the People Power Party is making a shameless argument that the Democratic Party is engaging in threats and stalling for time."
"The people already know full well who is bringing the National Assembly to a halt and holding livelihoods hostage," he said. "The People Power Party should immediately return to the National Assembly, complete the committee formation, and cooperate in processing livelihood bills."
Regarding the ballot shortage during the June 3 local elections, Han said, "I wonder what the People Power Party's true intentions are in delaying both a recount and a special counsel probe." He pointed out, "It has been revealed to the entire world that the People Power Party has no interest in getting to the bottom of the ballot shortage."
"The Democratic Party has pushed for a parliamentary investigation, introduced three election commission reform bills and a special counsel bill, and proposed conducting an open recount and hand count immediately," he said. "But the People Power Party, which had been calling for a recount, has now changed its tune, saying a special counsel probe should come first."
He argued, "The People Power Party throws up obstacles to every measure the Democratic Party puts forward, delaying both the recount and the special counsel probe while harping on about election fraud." He said, "Leader Jang Dong-hyeok, ignoring the National Assembly and livelihoods, drifts only outside the legislature, publicly declaring he will boycott the Constitution Day ceremony unless committee formation negotiations and the special counsel probe are done his way."
He also criticized, "He is even fanning a global election fraud conspiracy theory by calling for people to gather at Olympic Park on Constitution Day." He said, "This can only be seen as an intention to use the infringement of the people's right to political participation as a tool to prolong Leader Jang's political life."
"It is truly a shameful sight before the people," he said, reiterating his call, "Leader Jang and the People Power Party should stop asphalt politics and election fraud conspiracy theories, return to the National Assembly, and cooperate in processing the special counsel bill, the recount, and discussions on election commission reform."
Han mentioned that Homeplus major shareholder MBK Partners and its largest creditor, Meritz Financial Group, had narrowed their differences over how to provide at least 200 billion won in emergency funds needed for rehabilitation. "It is fortunate that a spark of rehabilitation has been revived, even at this late stage," he said.
"The final decision must go through board approval. I expect a forward-looking decision from the board," he said, stressing, "I hope MBK and Meritz do not view this fund injection as a temporary means of avoiding blame."
