People Power Party Floor Leader Jung Chung-rae (left) and Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do. [Photo: Yonhap News]

Floor Leader Jung Chung-rae’s explanation is nothing more than a deception of the public and his supporters, and a shallow play on words. What the public, the party members, and the party leader demanded was clearly a "special counsel led by the opposition party." 

However, Jung Chung-rae has abandoned the right to recommend and the lead in the special counsel—which the opposition party rightfully should have held—to the Democratic Party and Lee Jae-myung. He is now distorting the essence of the issue with the sophistry that "a special counsel without the consent of the opposition party is impossible," a claim no one asked for. It is appalling to see him package this disastrous negotiation, where he surrendered the leading role, as if it were some sort of achievement.

The essence of this special counsel is to clearly uncover the responsibilities of the National Election Commission and the Democratic Party, the current ruling party. During the special counsel on insurrection, the Democratic Party, following their own logic, completely excluded the People Power Party from the recommendation process. 

If that is the case, it is only natural that the opposition party, the People Power Party, should hold the authority to recommend and lead this special counsel to investigate the National Election Commission. How can it be called a "negotiation" when he voluntarily threw away the opposition's lead and shared that power with the Democratic Party? This is not a fair investigation of the truth; it is the height of incompetence that has single-handedly destroyed the credibility of the truth-finding process.

This opportunity was created by the blood and sweat of the citizens and young people who spent nights struggling in Olympic Park and on the streets despite the sweltering heat and heavy rain, and by the people who have worked day and night to shape public opinion. While the public was fighting on the streets for 24 hours, calling for a re-election due to electoral fraud, the person serving as floor leader surrendered to the Democratic Party and returned to enjoy a relaxed meal with Lee Jun-seok. 

Seeing him attempt to excuse this with pathetic wordplay after selling out the people's aspirations for a pittance through a compromise with the Democratic Party, one cannot find even a shred of shame.

The reason we support the People Power Party is not because they are doing a good job. We have endured countless disappointments because they are the last conservative party capable of protecting the Republic of Korea. But what we received in return is yet another episode of helpless collusion. 

If the party is going to back down and be led around by the Democratic Party every time it needs to fight, what is the reason for its existence? The public does not want a People Power Party that makes convenient compromises with the Democratic Party.

Do not try to deceive the public with wordplay such as "a special counsel without opposition consent is impossible." Take responsibility for your disastrous negotiation skills and incompetence, and resign from your position as floor leader immediately. If you have neither the will to fight nor the ability to negotiate, step down from the floor leader's post and go home to relax in the comfort of your air conditioning.

Oh Sang-jong, Representative of the Free Korea Patriotic Corps