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  • South Korea’s People Power Party rallies against proposed special counsel on dropped indictments
    South Korea’s People Power Party rallies against proposed special counsel on dropped indictments The People Power Party on May 6 urged the Democratic Party to withdraw a proposed special counsel bill tied to canceling indictments, calling it a “special counsel law to erase the president’s trial.” Floor leader Song Eon-seok made the remarks at a rally at the National Assembly titled “Rally condemning a special counsel to erase President Lee Jae-myung’s crimes.” He said it would create “a world where a thief appoints the police and the police erase the thief’s trial,” calling it “the face of Lee Jae-myung’s Korea.” Song criticized what he described as a reversal of basic roles in the justice system, saying police should catch thieves, prosecutors should investigate them and judges should rule on their crimes. “The country is being run in a strange way,” he said. He said President Lee had described the indictment-cancellation special law as something that “must be done,” which Song claimed amounted to an order that Lee’s trial “must be eliminated by canceling the indictment.” Song also accused Lee of using presidential power to “erase all” of his criminal record, calling it a “dictatorial idea” and “tyranny.” Referring to Lee’s reported comment asking that timing and procedures be judged carefully, Song said Lee did not ask for a review of the substance. Song argued the message was that cancellation was mandatory, while the timing should be weighed because an election is approaching and public backlash is a concern. Song urged the government and ruling party to act immediately if they intend to proceed, adding that they should instead pledge openly in the upcoming local elections to cancel the indictment and “receive the people’s judgment.” Rep. Yoon Sang-hyeon, in a separate speech, said an unprecedented effort was underway to “launder” judicial decisions through legislation. He accused backers of the bill of trying to create the special counsel law “for Lee Jae-myung alone,” shake investigative agencies, pressure the court and “wash 12 criminal allegations completely not guilty.” Yoon called it unconstitutional and anti-state behavior that breaks the principle of a liberal democratic republic, describing it as a “self-exemption legislative coup” that would undermine the rule of law.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 16:22:54
  • PPP Yeongnam gubernatorial candidates denounce DP’s prosecution-cancellation special counsel bill
    PPP Yeongnam gubernatorial candidates denounce DP’s prosecution-cancellation special counsel bill The People Power Party’s five mayoral and gubernatorial candidates in the Yeongnam region on the 6th condemned the Democratic Party’s push for a “special counsel bill to cancel prosecutions,” calling it a measure that would let the president “erase his own crimes.” Kim Du-gyeom, the PPP’s Ulsan mayoral candidate; Park Heong-joon, the Busan mayoral candidate; Choo Kyung-ho, the Daegu mayoral candidate; Lee Cheol-woo, the North Gyeongsang governor candidate; and Park Wan-soo, the South Gyeongsang governor candidate made the remarks at a news conference at Ulsan City Hall’s press center. They said they would “block to the end, together with the public, the unconstitutional attempt by President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party.” They argued that allowing a special counsel appointed by the president to cancel the president’s own trial would amount to improper interference in judicial procedures and a violation of the constitutional principle of separation of powers, calling it “a judicial coup disguised as legislation” and “judicial insurrection.” The candidates said Lee’s trial is currently suspended during his term and “poses no obstacle to governing,” but that seeking to eliminate his case through prosecution cancellation while in office would be an unconstitutional act that directly contradicts South Korea’s constitutional order. They also said the proposal violates the principle of equality, arguing that the president is “one citizen before the law,” and that rejecting that principle would place the president above the Constitution. “Power that seeks to stand above the law is anti-democratic and anti-republican, and the Republic of Korea, a democratic republic, strongly rejects this,” they said. The candidates criticized Lee’s request that the ruling party gather public opinion on adopting the special counsel measure, saying it appeared to be political calculation aimed at avoiding fallout in local elections less than a month away, rather than a commitment to uphold the Constitution. They claimed it was effectively an admission that the president himself is behind what they called an attempt to “launder” alleged crimes. They said the bill should not pass the National Assembly, but added that even if it does, Lee “must” exercise his veto. If he does not, they said, it would mean the president is abandoning his duty to defend the Constitution and betraying the oath made to the public. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 11:09:15
  • Lee Yong Announces Bid for Hanam Gap By-Election, Apologizes for Yoon Administration
    Lee Yong Announces Bid for Hanam Gap By-Election, Apologizes for Yoon Administration Lee Yong, a former lawmaker from the People Power Party, announced May 6 that he will run in the parliamentary by-election in Gyeonggi Province’s Hanam Gap district, pledging to “restore the rule of law and democracy” and “open a bigger future for Hanam.” Lee, who served as chief aide to Yoon Suk Yeol during Yoon’s presidential campaign and was known as a close protector, apologized, saying he is not free of responsibility “now that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration has disappointed and hurt the public.” Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly press center, Lee said, “If you helped create an administration, you must also take responsibility when it fails.” “Creating an administration was the reason a party exists, and I carried out my duties as a People Power Party lawmaker,” he said. “But now that the administration has disappointed and hurt the public, I am not free of responsibility. I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize.” He added, “I will not make excuses or hide. I will not avoid the public’s punishment,” and said he would change first, take responsibility where needed, fix what must be fixed, and rebuild trust through actions rather than words. Taking aim at former Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae and Lee Kwang-jae, a Hanam Gap candidate, Lee said the election is “a contest between someone running for Hanam and someone who came to Hanam for an election,” adding, “Hanam is not a nest where migratory birds stop briefly and leave.” Lee said he did not leave Hanam after losing the last general election because “an election ending does not mean promises to citizens end.” He said he spent the past two years visiting neighborhoods across the city and met residents for talks and other outreach sessions as few as five times a day and as many as 20. He said he would keep promises to Hanam residents and put their lives at the center of his politics, and urged voters to “judge the arrogant Lee Jae-myung administration” on June 3 and to restore livelihoods and ensure Hanam’s development continues without interruption. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-06 10:09:14
  • PPP’s Choo Kyung-ho and Lee Cheol-woo visit Park Geun-hye, urge conservatives to hold Daegu
    PPP’s Choo Kyung-ho and Lee Cheol-woo visit Park Geun-hye, urge conservatives to hold Daegu People Power Party Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Kyung-ho and North Gyeongsang Gov. Lee Cheol-woo, also a candidate in the June 3 local elections, visited Park Geun-hye on May 4, in what appeared to be an effort to rally conservative voters with help from former presidents. The two candidates visited Park’s home in Dalseong County, Daegu, on Monday afternoon. They were accompanied by Lee In-sun, head of the party’s Daegu chapter; Koo Ja-geun, head of the party’s North Gyeongsang chapter; and lawmaker Yoo Young-ha. After the meeting, Choo told reporters Park is “a former president from our party and the most senior figure in conservative politics,” and said he visited to pay his respects, check on her well-being and talk with her. Choo said Park recalled praising him during her administration, saying he had strong drive “true to his name,” which he said helped put him at ease. He said Park also voiced concern that recent domestic and international conditions were unsettled and said that in such times it is important to defend liberal democracy and that Daegu should play its role as a center of conservative politics. Choo said Park encouraged them to work hard and win, adding that she said each voter’s choice would determine the nation’s fate and that the public would choose wisely. Choo said he took her remarks seriously and pledged to revive Daegu’s economy and “protect the conservative heart.”* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 16:37:02
  • Han Dong-hoon Registers as Preliminary Candidate in Busan Buk-gu Gap By-election, Vows to Win
    Han Dong-hoon Registers as Preliminary Candidate in Busan Buk-gu Gap By-election, Vows to Win Han Dong-hoon, former leader of the People Power Party, registered on May 4 as a preliminary candidate in the parliamentary by-election in Busan’s Buk-gu Gap district, vowing to win and “check the runaway Lee Jae-myung administration.” After completing his filing at the Buk-gu Election Commission office in Busan that afternoon, Han told reporters he would “win this by-election” and “change Busan’s future and South Korea’s future to the end.” He said he would push Buk-gu Gap to “the next stage” and rebuild a conservative camp he described as having lost its direction. Han said his victory would help restore a conservative bloc capable of properly checking the Lee administration. He also argued it would “normalize” what he called deviations by a People Power Party leadership faction led by Jang Dong-hyeok. He said Buk-gu Gap has ranked low among Busan’s 18 constituencies for 20 years, and pledged to change that, saying he would make the district “Busan’s No. 1 priority” and “South Korea’s No. 1 priority.” Criticizing Democratic Party candidate Ha Jung-woo, Han said Ha talks about physical artificial intelligence and port systems, but “Is there a port in Busan’s Buk-gu?” Han added that introducing physical AI in Buk-gu would cost workers their jobs, and said politicians should tailor policies to residents rather than forcing their own specialties onto a district. On possible unification with the People Power Party candidate, Han said he wanted to question what he called a mindset of trying to block him even if it means losing to the Democratic Party. He said President Lee Jae-myung is pushing to cancel the prosecution in his own case, and accused the Jang-led faction of focusing only on stopping Han instead of checking Lee. “That is not proper politics,” he said. Han added that Lee’s move to cancel the prosecution in his own case is “a clear ground for impeachment,” and said he would work with the public to stop it.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 16:31:38
  • Seoul-Area Opposition Candidates Urge Withdrawal of Democratic Party Special Prosecutor Bill
    Seoul-Area Opposition Candidates Urge Withdrawal of Democratic Party Special Prosecutor Bill Seoul-area metropolitan candidates from opposition parties running in the June 3 local elections met Monday and denounced a Democratic Party-backed “special prosecutor bill on alleged fabricated prosecutions,” calling it an “Lee Jae-myung self-pardon special prosecutor bill.” They said they would begin a nationwide resistance campaign to stop what they described as a “judicial coup.” Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Incheon mayoral candidate Yoo Jeong-bok of the People Power Party, along with New Reform Party candidates Kim Jeong-cheol for Seoul mayor and Cho Eung-cheon for Gyeonggi governor, held a joint meeting at the National Assembly and issued a statement. People Power Party Gyeonggi governor candidate Yang Hyang-ja did not attend due to scheduling conflicts but joined the statement. Cho, who proposed the meeting, said, “How can a special prosecutor appointed by the president withdraw an indictment that erases the president’s crimes? It shakes the foundation of the rule of law and is a judicial insurrection.” He added, “On a foundation where the rule of law collapses, local autonomy and the people’s livelihood economy are nothing but a house of cards.” Oh said he could not “stand by” what he called the Lee Jae-myung government’s destruction of the rule of law and democracy, and urged all political forces except the Democratic Party to respond with “extraordinary resolve.” Yoo said South Korea stood at a crossroads between remaining a country governed by law and becoming one where those in power “erase their own cases,” and asked Democratic Party candidates Jeong Won-oh for Seoul mayor, Park Chan-dae for Incheon mayor and Choo Mi-ae for Gyeonggi governor whether they support or oppose the bill. Kim said that if a law allowing someone to “delete their own crimes” is permitted, it would set a precedent that could be repeated even after a change of government. In their joint statement, the candidates demanded that the Democratic Party immediately halt and withdraw what they called the “Lee Jae-myung self-pardon special prosecutor bill.” They also urged President Lee Jae-myung to clearly declare to the public: “During my term, there will never be any withdrawal of indictments related to my allegations, and I will stand trial according to law and principle.” They said they would launch a nationwide online petition to block what they called a judicial coup and conduct public outreach to highlight problems with the bill. They also said they would build solidarity beyond party lines and called on the media, intellectuals and civic groups to state their positions.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 14:25:15
  • People Power Party calls DP’s ‘fabricated indictment’ special counsel bill unconstitutional
    People Power Party calls DP’s ‘fabricated indictment’ special counsel bill unconstitutional The People Power Party on May 4 criticized a recently proposed “fabricated indictment” special counsel bill by the Democratic Party, calling it an unconstitutional attempt to erase Lee Jae-myung’s alleged crimes. Speaking at a party Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok said, “A law that exists for only one person is not law, but violence and a crime.” Jang said there is “exactly one person on the Korean Peninsula who does not go to prison no matter what crime is committed,” referring to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. He added, “It looks like there will be one more. Does President Lee Jae-myung want to become ‘No. 2’ in supreme dignity?” Jang also said the bill would mobilize 350 people and spend “hundreds of billions of won” in taxpayer money to wipe out one person’s alleged wrongdoing. He said it would be more honest to create a “supreme dignity law” for Lee and, in an Orwellian way, declare Lee “more equal,” placing him above the Constitution. He said when “rule by man” overwhelms the rule of law, the values of freedom and equality collapse. Jang said voters’ choice on June 3 will determine whether they live as citizens of a liberal democratic South Korea or become “slaves” in what he called “Lee Jae-myung’s Animal Farm,” adding that the local elections are about protecting liberal democracy and the constitutional order. Floor leader Song Eon-seok said the Democratic Party pushed last November for legislation to suspend a president’s trial, but that it was abruptly halted after Lee urged restraint. Song said then-chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik publicly warned party leader Jung Cheong-rae not to drag the president into political conflict. Song claimed Lee’s intent became clear “after half a year,” arguing that Lee was not seeking a temporary suspension of his trial during his term but instead wanted a plan to eliminate the trial altogether. He said Lee’s decision to stop the trial-suspension bill while remaining silent on what Song called a “case-cancellation, trial-deletion” plan was evidence. Song said canceling an indictment in the president’s criminal trial by using a parliamentary investigation and a special counsel would be “null and void from the start.” Song said Lee might be able to use power to force his trial to disappear “once,” but that the public would eventually restart it and ensure he pays for his alleged wrongdoing. He added that even a president should go to prison if a crime is committed, and said politics that uses power to shield oneself “outside the law” will not be tolerated by the public or history. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-04 09:57:15
  • PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok campaigns in Daegu for mayoral hopeful Choo Kyung-ho
    PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok campaigns in Daegu for mayoral hopeful Choo Kyung-ho Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, visited Daegu on Saturday to rally support for Choo Kyung-ho, the party’s candidate for Daegu mayor, saying the conservative stronghold should not be handed to Kim Boo-kyum. Jang’s appearance followed his attendance a day earlier at the opening of Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyung-joon’s campaign office, as the party seeks to consolidate its base. Speaking at Choo’s campaign office opening in Suseong District, Jang said he had checked what he described as Kim’s criminal record the previous day and criticized Kim as someone who received a one-year prison sentence with a two-year suspended term for violating the National Security Law. Jang also accused President Lee Jae-myung of trying to erase his own alleged wrongdoing, saying Lee had pursued what Jang called an unreasonable state investigation and was now pushing a special counsel probe aimed at canceling indictments tied to 12 allegations. Jang claimed such a move would lead to what he called a socialist constitution intended to extend Lee’s term. “This has to be stopped in Daegu,” Jang said, calling the local elections a contest to block dictatorship and socialism and to protect liberal democracy and future generations. He said supporters last winter chanted “We are Choo Kyung-ho” to defend Choo, and argued that Choo is now running for mayor to protect South Korea, liberal democracy and Daegu. “Economic mayor Choo Kyung-ho will change Daegu,” he said. Addressing controversy over the party’s nomination process for the Daegu mayoral race, Jang apologized to Daegu residents, saying as party leader he was responsible. He also expressed regret to National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young and candidate Lee Jin-sook, who were cut from the primary process. The event drew party leaders and nearly 40 sitting lawmakers, including honorary campaign chair Kim Moon-soo, a former labor minister; former Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook; and lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Na Kyung-won and Yoon Jae-ok. Former President Lee Myung-bak also offered a video message of support, saying Daegu needs an “economic mayor, not a political mayor.” He cited the global financial crisis shortly after his inauguration, saying South Korea was the only country to post positive growth and that Choo served at the time as senior secretary for economic and financial affairs at Cheong Wa Dae and head of an emergency economic situation office.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 17:40:05
  • South Korea’s June 3 Local Elections Set: Ruling Party Stresses Stability, Opposition Seeks Referendum
    South Korea’s June 3 Local Elections Set: Ruling Party Stresses Stability, Opposition Seeks Referendum With a month to go until the June 3 local elections, South Korea’s rival parties have finalized nominations for the heads of 16 metropolitan and provincial governments and moved into full campaign mode. The vote is the first nationwide election held a year after the launch of the Lee Jae-myung government. The Democratic Party is pitching a message of “stable governance” and what it calls the removal of “insurrection forces,” while the People Power Party is framing the election as a judgment on the government and a check on its power. According to political circles on Saturday, the People Power Party completed its slate a day earlier by confirming Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja as its candidate for Gyeonggi governor. Yang competed for the nomination against Ham Jin-gyu, a former lawmaker, and Lee Seong-bae, a former MBC announcer, and won the primary. Yang will face Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae and Reform Party candidate Cho Eung-cheon in the Gyeonggi race. Seoul, Busan and Daegu are widely seen as the top battlegrounds. In the 2022 local elections, the People Power Party won 12 of 17 top local government posts. This time, with President Lee’s approval rating holding in the 60% range, some observers say the Democratic Party could make gains not only in competitive areas but also in the conservative-leaning Yeongnam region. The People Power Party, for its part, is focused on holding Yeongnam, long considered a conservative stronghold. The Democratic Party has sought to refresh its lineup by nominating new figures it says can support the government. The People Power Party re-nominated 11 incumbent local leaders, highlighting administrative experience and policy continuity. Candidate registration for the June 3 local elections will be held over two days starting May 14. Official campaigning runs from May 21 through June 2, the day before the vote, for 13 days. Early voting will be held May 29-30, with Election Day voting on June 3. 2026-05-03 15:27:39
  • PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams Ruling Party’s Special Counsel Bill to Drop Charges
    PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Slams Ruling Party’s Special Counsel Bill to Drop Charges Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on May 3 criticized a bill introduced by the Democratic Party to create a special counsel empowered to cancel prosecutions, calling it “like a thief appointing the police.” Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Song said it would amount to “police appointed by a thief trying to make the thief’s crime disappear.” He said President Lee Jae-myung had insisted he was the target of a “fabricated indictment” and pushed a parliamentary investigation, and was now “openly” seeking a special counsel to erase alleged wrongdoing. Song called it a privilege “ordinary citizens could not even imagine.” Song said the Democratic Party, throughout the parliamentary investigation, relied on one-sided claims by convicted criminals including Lee Hwa-young and Nam Wook, but failed to prove an alleged fabricated indictment. Instead, he said, testimony emerged that “poured out” to support Lee’s guilt. He cited testimony by Bang Yong-cheol, a former vice chairman of Ssangbangwool, who said he met Ri Ho-nam in the Philippines in July 2019 and sent $700,000 as the price for then-Gyeonggi Gov. Lee Jae-myung’s visit to North Korea. Song also cited testimony by former Ssangbangwool Chairman Kim Seong-tae, who said there was no “salmon sashimi drinking party,” calling it a point-by-point rebuttal of what he described as false claims by Democratic Party lawmakers. Song said the parliamentary investigation brought the truth “one step closer” and exposed what he called the Democratic Party’s false agitation over a fabricated indictment. He questioned why the matter should move from the investigation to a special counsel, arguing it would pressure investigators into a “false probe” and an “unreasonable” cancellation of prosecutions. He also said it violates modern rule-of-law principles for a president to appoint a special counsel and for that special counsel to seek to eliminate the appointing authority’s trial. Song said the upcoming local elections are likely to become a vote on whether canceling the president’s prosecution is justified. He added that the election would ask whether the president’s trial can be erased entirely, whether a president should enjoy such privilege, and whether the country will be one of privilege and unfairness or one of rule of law and justice.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-05-03 11:24:19