Opposition head pleads for support in ‘fight against Yoon dictatorship’
Democratic Party of Korea leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung on Friday made pleas to "salvage democracy" from the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, a day after the National Assembly passed a motion to let the court decide whether to issue an arrest warrant for him.
In a written statement, he called attention to the country’s history of fighting military dictatorships, and the monthslong protests that led to the impeachment of the Park Geun-hye administration.
“As history is a guide, it is always the people that triumph in the end,” he said. “But the Democratic Party must lead the way in fighting the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s tyranny and stopping the dictatorial regime from destroying middle class and democracy.”
He said that if the Democratic Party falls, it’s the people “who will suffer the consequences,” calling for more support for him and his party.
“If we stand united against the prosecutors’ dictatorship, we will prevail.”
Friday’s statement comes after his party announced it would be overhauling its leadership in the Assembly to take responsibility for the passage of the critical motion that may result in Lee’s arrest.
The motion would not have passed unless several lawmakers from the majority-holding Democratic Party voted in favor, which the party characterized as a “betrayal.”
“For failing to unite the party in time of crisis, our floor leaders decided to step down,” the party said in a statement issued late Thursday.
According to his arrest warrant request, submitted by Seoul prosecutors, Lee is accused in three different scandals.
One is that he handed favors to private developers while he was the mayor of Seongnam, allowing them to illicitly profit from the city’s land development project. The second is that, during his trial for impersonating a prosecutor, an offense for which he was convicted, he forced a witness to give false testimony in court. The last one is that he paid North Korean authorities via an illicit route to organize his Pyongyang trip while serving as the governor of Gyeonggi Province.
The court is set to decide on his arrest warrant on Tuesday.
Lee, who is in hospital, has been on a hunger strike against the “tyrannical Yoon administration” since Aug. 31, demanding that the president replace his entire Cabinet.
-
Enjoying Halloween in Itaewon sparks debate onlineOpposition calls for Yoon's overhaul of Cabinet after by[HIT Forum] 'Korea ready to become aerospace powerhouse'More webtoonSeoul shares open higher on US gainsArt Busan's unveils galleries, theme for inaugural fair, Define Seoul[HIT Forum] Korea's only astronaut highlights humanity's connection with universeDawn begins mandatory military serviceForeign workers' deaths get weak sanctions문 정부, 셀트리온에 코로나 R&D 예산 522억 몰아줬다
- ·Reeling from election loss, ruling party picks new leader posts
- ·[Herald Interview] Monte
- ·Samsung Electronics forecasts Q3 rebound
- ·판 커진 구청장 선거…민주당 크게 이겼다
- ·S. Korean diplomat discusses NK human rights with US envoy
- ·Israleli strikes flatten entire neighborhoods as Gaza faces imminent blackout
- ·Pentagon chief stresses US ability to tackle 'crises in multiple theaters'
- ·Science minister welcomes HIT forum on space economy
- ·Hyundai Rotem to showcase new ground weapons systems at Seoul expo
- ·Samsung Electronics tips Q3 operating profit to plunge 78% on semiconductor losses
- ·Israleli strikes flatten entire neighborhoods as Gaza faces imminent blackout
- ·Seoul shares open higher on US gains
- ·HiteJinro to produce soju in Vietnam
- ·[HIT Forum] More than 400 attendees explore space at HIT forum
- ·[HIT Forum]Space forum sees opportunities beyond our 'pale blue dot'
- ·More webtoon
- ·Ruling party chief clings on after election loss
- ·LG CNS launches new AI platform for corporate clients
- ·윤 대통령 “중동 리스크 대응, 민생에 전력 다해야”
- ·Dawn begins mandatory military service
- ·'Apgujeong Box Girl' sparks online debate
- ·N. Korea's Kim, Putin exchange congratulatory messages marking 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties
- ·[New on scene] Kim Chang
- ·민주당 개표 초반부터 환호성…김태우 캠프엔 적막 가득했다
- ·Number of deaths in cycling accidents soars
- ·Samsung Electronics tips Q3 operating profit to plunge 78% on semiconductor losses
- ·Rich culture of masks in Korea, Japan and China on show at Folk Museum
- ·AleXa to perform on Jingle Ball Tour as 1st K
- ·Italian, Egyptian, Taiwanese, Japanese webtoonists to attend Busan Webtoon Festival
- ·美연구소 "北, 러에 보낸 포탄은 50만 발…한 달 사용 분량"
- ·Hyundai Motor to build 1st car plant in Saudi Arabia, leading 46 Korea
- ·S. Korea to complete LSD vaccinations by early Nov.: ministry
- ·LG Chem opens research center in US
- ·4 North Koreans cross maritime border, say want to defect
- ·[From the Scene] Don't remember Itaewon alley as place of death, victims' families say
- ·Saudi crown prince gives Yoon a ride to investment forum
- ·Welcome Daehakro Festival lights up Seoul's stage hub
- ·N. Korea's Kim, Putin exchange congratulatory messages marking 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties
- ·문 정부, 셀트리온에 코로나 R&D 예산 522억 몰아줬다
- ·민주당 개표 초반부터 환호성…김태우 캠프엔 적막 가득했다
- ·S. Korea, US, Japan install trilateral communication hotline amid N. Korea, China challenges
- ·Art Busan's unveils galleries, theme for inaugural fair, Define Seoul
- ·Yoon, officials strongly condemn Hamas killings as act of terrorism
- ·윤 대통령 “중동 리스크 대응, 민생에 전력 다해야”
- ·Supporters of Israel hold rally in Seoul, urge Hamas to stop atrocities
- ·문 정부, 셀트리온에 코로나 R&D 예산 522억 몰아줬다