Six-Term Lawmaker Joo Ho-young: "PPP Should Not Go for 'Yoon Again'... Yoon's Tyranny Was Grounds for Impeachment"

Joo Ho-young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and the most senior member of the People Power Party with six terms, criticized the party leadership, saying, "The approach that smells like 'Yoon Again' is not right." At a policy forum with local journalists in Daegu on December 8, Deputy Speaker Joo said, "(Leader Jang Donghyuk) asked us to wait until December 3, and I was expecting that there would be measures reflecting public sentiment after that. However, his recent remarks have not been in line with this, resulting in considerable backlash within the party."

Joo Ho-young, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, criticized the party leadership, saying, "The approach that smells like 'Yoon Again' is not right." Photo by The Asia Business Daily

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On December 3, marking the first anniversary of the December 3 Martial Law, Leader Jang stated in a message, "The martial law was intended to counter the parliamentary tyranny of the Democratic Party of Korea," reiterating the logic of former President Yoon. In contrast, on the same day, 25 lawmakers-mainly first- and second-term members of the People Power Party-declared, "The December 3 Martial Law was an unconstitutional and anti-democratic act that denied and trampled on the liberal democracy of the Republic of Korea, which our people achieved through blood and sweat." They added, "We sincerely bow our heads and apologize once again to the people for failing to prevent the martial law in advance and causing them great pain and confusion as members of the then-ruling party," and emphasized, "We make it clear that we will sever political ties with former President Yoon and all those who led the martial law."

Previously, Yoon Han-hong, a lawmaker representing a district in Yeongnam, openly criticized Leader Jang at a party meeting on December 5, saying, "It is like a dog with dung on its fur scolding a dog with chaff on its fur." As Leader Jang has yet to issue an apology for the martial law or a statement distancing himself from former President Yoon, senior party lawmakers from Yeongnam have begun to raise their voices in succession.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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On this day, Deputy Speaker Joo also leveled criticism at former President Yoon. He listed, "He conducted politics without ever meeting with the opposition leader, and now, looking back, the decision to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 was completely arbitrary. Appointing an ambassador embroiled in controversy and referring to him as 'Run Who' (referring to former Defense Minister Lee Jongseop)-these are just some examples," adding, "He repeatedly engaged in tyranny, and there were ample grounds for impeachment."

He further pointed out, "Martial law should be based on military necessity, but there was no such necessity. I can only speculate that it was an attempt to block the special counsel investigation into First Lady Kim Keonhee."

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker Joo commented on the possibility of running for Daegu mayor in next year's local elections, saying, "I will make a decision as soon as possible, by early next year." He added, "I have already prepared for the candidacy to a significant extent," but also noted, "If I decide to run for Daegu mayor, I must first confirm the will of the citizens of Daegu and consult with other Daegu lawmakers, but I have not yet gone through those procedures." He continued, "In the past, a metropolitan mayor's ability was measured by how much budget they could secure from the government through negotiations, but now every metropolitan city and province has its own special laws. The most important ability is now legislative competence through negotiations with the National Assembly," he added.

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