On May 29, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, Park Chan Dae, stated, “Even if we managed to block the special prosecutor law, we wouldn’t be able to stop the government’s downfall.” He added, “The actions shown by the People’s Power Party at the last plenary session of the 21st National Assembly are a flare signaling the acceleration of the government’s downfall.”
During the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Park said, “Despite the defeat in the general elections, we learned no lessons, so our downfall is inevitable.”
Earlier, President Yoon Suk Yeol exercised his veto right, and the special prosecutor law for the Marine Corps was finally rejected with 179 votes in favor, 111 against, and 4 invalid out of 294 present. The special prosecutor law went through a re-voting procedure at the plenary session of the National Assembly on May 28.
In response, Park criticized, “If they hope for a political future despite opposing the overwhelming will of the people, it’s a big mistake.” He added, “As the saying goes If you respect the people, you thrive; if you scorn the people, you perish. The historical lesson is that those who go against people’s will, disappear into the back alley of history.”
Park also reaffirmed, “The Democratic Party will uncover the truth of the Marine Corps member’s death and the reality of the investigation’s pressure.” He added, “We will propose the Marine Corps special prosecutor law as a party policy in the 22nd National Assembly and push for its quick passage.”
During the previous plenary session, both the Lease Fraud Special Law and the Democratic Merit Law passed with the proposed amendments by the opposition party made to the former. There are expectations that these laws will also face a veto. Park warned Yoon, “Do not exercise your veto.” He added, “Continued veto exercises will only hasten the government’s downfall.”
Park also mentioned the Franchise Business Act and the Grain and Agricultural Act, which ultimately failed to pass, saying, “We will promptly push for these bills again in the 22nd National Assembly.”