People Power Party to Hold First Outdoor Rally in a Year on National Foundation Day, but Concerns Rise Over Distraction Ahead of Assembly Audit

Rally Targeting Policy Failures of the Lee Jaemyung Administration
One-off Event Planned Due to Upcoming National Assembly Audit

The People Power Party is set to hold a large-scale outdoor rally on October 3, marking its first such event in approximately one year. While some say that the party leadership may escalate its criticism of the government's policy failures and increase pressure, other voices within the party have expressed concern about the potential burden, especially with the upcoming National Assembly audit next month.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a greeting at the "Wednesday Policy Academy" held on the 30th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building.

On September 30, the People Power Party announced that it will hold a massive outdoor rally on October 3, National Foundation Day, targeting all party members in protest against the policy failures of the Lee Jaemyung administration. The rally is scheduled to take place at 3:00 p.m., with roads around Seoul City Hall and Sungnyemun being closed off for the event. This marks the first large-scale outdoor rally by the People Power Party since the previous rally held in front of Daehanmun in Seoul on September 28 last year, roughly one year ago.

It is reported that the party leadership strongly pushed for this protest rally. By raising public concerns not only inside the Assembly but also outside it over the imminent implementation of the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act on October 2, the cancellation of indictments, the worsening livelihood issues, and the deteriorating real estate situation, the party aims to elevate its offensive against the government and ruling bloc. Recent favorable developments in public opinion have also served as momentum for the timing.

However, there are concerns within the party. With the National Assembly audit scheduled for October 4, some point out that it would be practically difficult to organize such a large-scale rally during the busiest parliamentary period, and that it could disperse the party's energies. One Assembly member from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region commented, "Many members felt uneasy about holding the rally," adding, "We would need to mobilize people, but the timing makes it even more challenging."

Some speculate that, given the party has filed for rallies every Saturday this month and next, the outdoor protest may not be a one-off event. However, the party clarified that "it was just a matter of registering the rallies." A People Power Party official stated, "With the National Assembly audit scheduled for next month, there is limited time to organize outdoor rallies," and "It is highly likely that only the rally on National Foundation Day will be held as a one-off event."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.