People Power Party (PPP) candidates running for metropolitan government posts in the Chungcheong region strongly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea, calling the so-called "Fabricated Indictment Special Prosecutor Act" an act of legislative tyranny.
Lee Jang-woo, candidate for Daejeon mayor, Choi Min-ho, candidate for Sejong mayor, and Kim Young-hwan, candidate for North Chungcheong governor, held a rally in the plaza in front of the main gate of the Sejong city government building Friday, demanding the withdrawal of the bill. "The anti-democratic and unconstitutional 'Fabricated Indictment Truth-Finding Special Prosecutor Act' being pushed by the Democratic Party of Korea is an act of tyranny disguised under the name of law," they said.
"The Constitution of the Republic of Korea proclaims the fundamental democratic principle that all citizens are equal before the law," they said. "Granting a special prosecutor the authority to withdraw indictments desecrates the principle prohibiting judgment in one's own case, destroys the foundation of the criminal justice system, and is nothing but an unconstitutional bill that undermines the separation of powers," they added, demanding the bill's withdrawal.
"The president should not be discussing the timing of implementation but rather requesting the withdrawal of the bill," they said. "The president must exercise the right of veto and await a fair judgment under the law."
They also stressed, "Defending liberal democracy and the rule of law is not a matter of political camps, ideology, or elections. It is solely a matter of justice, conscience, and the identity of the Republic of Korea." They resolved, "The 5.7 million people of Chungcheong will stand firm to the end with an uncompromising stance to block the Fabricated Indictment Special Prosecutor Act."
The candidates also demanded, "Heo Tae-jeong, the Democratic Party's candidate for Daejeon mayor, Cho Sang-ho, candidate for Sejong mayor, Park Soo-hyun, candidate for South Chungcheong governor, and Shin Yong-han, candidate for North Chungcheong governor, must clearly state whether they support or oppose the special prosecutor act." They added, "Silence and evasion are equivalent to endorsement."
South Chungcheong Governor Kim Tae-heum also released a statement the same day, saying, "I was with the three PPP Chungcheong metropolitan government candidates in spirit at today's press conference denouncing the 'Indictment Withdrawal Special Prosecutor Act.'" He added, "As a sitting governor who has not yet registered as a preliminary candidate, I deeply regret not being able to stand on site."
Governor Kim said, "The 'Indictment Withdrawal Special Prosecutor Act' is a tailor-made law designed solely to grant an exemption to one person, President Lee Jae-myung. It is an unconstitutional act of tyranny that seeks to overturn the entire judicial system of the Republic of Korea by wielding legislative power as a weapon." He added, "An attempt to subjugate the judiciary through legislative power will remain an indelible tragedy and stain on our history."
Kim emphasized, "The law is not a shield for those in power. You cannot cover the sky with the palm of your hand. The price of abusing power will surely return as a harsh boomerang."
