The People Power Party held a large-scale rally in front of Sungnyemun in Seoul on October 3, intensifying its criticism of the Lee Jae-myung administration. The party focused on issues such as the abolition of the prosecution office, North Korea policy, and the trial of President Lee Jae-myung. This marks the first outdoor rally for the People Power Party in nearly a year, since September of last year.
The event, titled 'National Action Conference for Judging the Lee Jae-myung Administration, Restoring Livelihoods, and Protecting Security,' was attended by party leadership, including Representative Jang Dong-hyuk and Floor Leader Jeong Jeom-sik, along with over 70 current lawmakers. The party claimed that approximately 200,000 people gathered for the rally.
Participants shouted slogans such as 'Condemn Lee Jae-myung for Security Disasters and Humiliating Diplomacy' and 'Guarantee Judicial Independence from Court Intimidation.' Signs reading 'Lee Jae-myung OUT for Security Disasters and Pro-North Korea Diplomacy' and 'Is This Country North Korea with Arbitrary Land Investigations?' were also visible, along with attendees waving the South Korean and U.S. flags.
According to Yonhap News, Representative Jang delivered a 30-minute speech criticizing President Lee's approval ratings and real estate policies. He noted that the president's approval rating has dropped to the 30% range and warned of further declines, calling for a 'complete overhaul of real estate policy,' an 'immediate halt to land investigations,' acceptance of an 'ETF special investigation,' and the 'resumption of Lee Jae-myung's trial.'
Floor Leader Jeong criticized the government's response to North Korean provocations, particularly in light of a recent incident involving North Korean landmines. He argued that the government has failed to criticize North Korea despite its provocations and claimed that the administration is undermining the judicial system regarding President Lee's trial.
Criticism from within the party also emerged. Lim Jong-deuk, a member of the National Assembly's Defense Committee, condemned President Lee for referring to North Korean provocations as 'unfortunate accidents' during his Armed Forces Day speech. Representative Kim Min-jeon, a member of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, called for the resumption of President Lee's trial, citing issues related to the abolition of the prosecution office and the increase in Supreme Court justices.
Former Seongnam Urban Development Corporation Planning Director Yoo Dong-kyu, a key figure in the Daejang-dong incident, also spoke at the rally, asserting that President Lee should face trial.
Dissent within the party was evident as well. While all Supreme Council members took the stage, some hardline party members booed when Woo Jae-jun, a youth Supreme Council member with differing views, spoke.
The rally was initiated by Representative Jang Dong-hyuk. Although there were negative sentiments within the party leadership about holding an outdoor event during the regular National Assembly session, a consensus emerged on the need to strengthen public opinion ahead of the upcoming National Assembly audit.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party strongly criticized the People Power Party's outdoor rally. Floor Spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo stated in a written briefing that it raises questions about whether the first opposition party taking to the streets just before the National Assembly audit is truly in the interest of the public, labeling the event as a display of power by Representative Jang. Jeon also referenced reports that the People Power Party required attendance and headcounts for the rally, stating, 'A rally that allocates participants and checks attendance cannot claim to represent the voices of the people.' She urged the People Power Party, which has seen no changes in a year, to focus on government oversight and livelihood measures through the National Assembly audit.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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