Jung Jeom-sik, leader of the People Power Party, speaks during a parliamentary meeting on July 3, 2026. [Photo: Yonhap News]
Jung Jeom-sik, the leader of the People Power Party, criticized President Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party on July 3 for what he described as their populism leading to chaotic governance. He argued that the recently passed Yellow Envelope Law and amendments to the Commercial Law are hindering government policies, particularly regarding the semiconductor industry in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju.
During a parliamentary meeting, Jung stated, "The Yellow Envelope Law and the stricter Commercial Law pushed through by this government and the Democratic Party are now holding back the semiconductor cluster in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju. It’s like stepping on one’s own foot with an axe."
His comments follow backlash from Samsung and SK over their announced plans for new semiconductor factories. The Samsung Group's labor union has expressed concerns that the new facilities in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju must ensure industrial safety, adequate living conditions, and infrastructure support. The Korea Shareholder Movement Headquarters has also called for the semiconductor cluster investment to be included in the agenda for upcoming shareholder meetings, citing concerns over dividends and shareholder rights.
Jung further remarked, "This is the result of the 'Lee Jae-myung style populism.' The Yellow Envelope Law, the stricter Commercial Law, and the development of the semiconductor cluster in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju are all examples of populist governance focused solely on immediate political gains without sufficient deliberation and verification, leading to chaotic governance."
Concerns were also raised regarding the revised Information and Communications Network Act, set to take effect on July 7. Kim Seung-soo, the party's deputy floor leader, warned that the so-called 'Online Gag Law' is fostering a climate of censorship. He criticized the Democratic Party for claiming that the law aims to prevent fake news and provide victim relief, arguing instead that it poses a risk of becoming an online censorship law that stifles legitimate criticism.
He added, "The Democratic Party's control over both the Legislative Judiciary Committee and the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee signals their intent to solidify the Online Gag Law and push through the Media Arbitration Law. If they trample on press freedom and suppress the public's freedom of expression, they will face national resistance, which could trigger the collapse of their administration."
Additionally, Jung criticized the Democratic Party's Legislative Judiciary Committee for accelerating the processing of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, which could affect the retention of prosecutorial investigative powers. He stated, "The Democratic Party's members of the Legislative Judiciary Committee will wield the sword of power to butcher the rule of law. The committee, now dominated by the Democratic Party, has become a place where the rule of law is dead, marked by the character for death (死)."
During a parliamentary meeting, Jung stated, "The Yellow Envelope Law and the stricter Commercial Law pushed through by this government and the Democratic Party are now holding back the semiconductor cluster in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju. It’s like stepping on one’s own foot with an axe."
His comments follow backlash from Samsung and SK over their announced plans for new semiconductor factories. The Samsung Group's labor union has expressed concerns that the new facilities in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju must ensure industrial safety, adequate living conditions, and infrastructure support. The Korea Shareholder Movement Headquarters has also called for the semiconductor cluster investment to be included in the agenda for upcoming shareholder meetings, citing concerns over dividends and shareholder rights.
Jung further remarked, "This is the result of the 'Lee Jae-myung style populism.' The Yellow Envelope Law, the stricter Commercial Law, and the development of the semiconductor cluster in Jeollanam-do and Gwangju are all examples of populist governance focused solely on immediate political gains without sufficient deliberation and verification, leading to chaotic governance."
Concerns were also raised regarding the revised Information and Communications Network Act, set to take effect on July 7. Kim Seung-soo, the party's deputy floor leader, warned that the so-called 'Online Gag Law' is fostering a climate of censorship. He criticized the Democratic Party for claiming that the law aims to prevent fake news and provide victim relief, arguing instead that it poses a risk of becoming an online censorship law that stifles legitimate criticism.
He added, "The Democratic Party's control over both the Legislative Judiciary Committee and the Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee signals their intent to solidify the Online Gag Law and push through the Media Arbitration Law. If they trample on press freedom and suppress the public's freedom of expression, they will face national resistance, which could trigger the collapse of their administration."
Additionally, Jung criticized the Democratic Party's Legislative Judiciary Committee for accelerating the processing of amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, which could affect the retention of prosecutorial investigative powers. He stated, "The Democratic Party's members of the Legislative Judiciary Committee will wield the sword of power to butcher the rule of law. The committee, now dominated by the Democratic Party, has become a place where the rule of law is dead, marked by the character for death (死)."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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