Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, is interviewed by News and Post (NNP) in Washington, D.C., on the 25th (local time). / Photo = NNP-Hanmi Ilbo Joint Coverage.

"The indictment and trial against me are unjust. I have lived by the law and engaged in politics according to the law. While the current situation is being made difficult for me by false and fabricated accusations, I will not be shaken."

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, stated this to News and Post at the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, the 25th.

Regarding his 18-month prison sentence recommendation related to the "Fast Track" struggle—the push for three specific bills—Chairman Hwang said, "The Fast Track struggle was a fight for democracy," adding, "We fought righteously against this situation where the Democratic Party illegally indicted us."

The Fast Track bills in question, which date back to the days of the Liberty Korea Party (the predecessor to the People Power Party), concerned the election law, the establishment of the CIO (Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials), and prosecution reform. The sentencing recommendation comes five years and eight months after the clashes that occurred while the Liberty Korea Party was holding a sit-in against the Democratic Party's attempt to force these bills through.

Chairman Hwang stated, "Our fight was justified," adding, "No matter how much the prosecution tries to corner us, this is nothing but political oppression." He added, "I trust that the court will deliver a righteous verdict."

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Regarding the Election Fraud Prevention Task Force (Bubangdae), Chairman Hwang explained that they have been working continuously for five years to prevent election fraud, citing as their greatest achievement the fact that their activities contributed to the election of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Chairman Hwang said, "We contributed decisively to President Yoon Suk Yeol's victory. The margin of his victory was 0.73%. However, the left had designed the scenario for a 1% win for themselves. Because public sentiment was so poor at the time, they figured that if they made it look like a landslide victory, riots would break out. So, they designed it for a narrow victory. They were confident they could execute exactly what they had designed. But there was an obstacle: the Bubangdae. People fighting against election fraud fiercely prevented it. By blocking fake ballots, preventing double voting, and engaging in surveillance and filming, they significantly constrained the activities of election fraud. That is why we won by a razor-thin 0.73%. Of course, it would be difficult to say that this was the only reason we won, but it is clear that it played a major role."

According to Chairman Hwang, through the activities of the Bubangdae, more than half of the public became aware of the existence of election fraud, and it is thanks to these activities that even President Yoon Suk Yeol has spoken about the existence of election fraud.

He added, "The Bubangdae will continue to risk their lives and do their utmost for election justice in the Republic of Korea. These are truly precious people. There is no compensation. They have gained nothing from it. Yet, they are people who have done their best to prevent election fraud, which is the enemy of liberal democracy and a market economy. I think many citizens should support them with applause."

Regarding the insurrection charges against President Yoon Suk Yeol, Chairman Hwang stated categorically, "The President cannot commit insurrection."

He pointed out that the Constitution defines insurrection as "rioting for the purpose of overturning the constitutional order," adding, "The President himself is the constitutional order. Therefore, for the person who is the constitutional order to overturn it is theoretically impossible."

Furthermore, Chairman Hwang pointed out that President Yoon did not declare martial law to incite a riot. He emphasized that the mobilized soldiers did not fire shots or strike anyone, saying, "They were peacefully maintaining order and searching for evidence of election fraud. How is this a riot?"

Chairman Hwang stressed, "They went to the National Election Commission to search and seize evidence of election fraud. How is that a riot? Therefore, it is not insurrection. Moreover, the procedures to arrest and detain the President are all wrong."

Mentioning that the CIO, which has no investigative authority, conducted the investigation and that when the CIO failed to obtain a warrant from the Seoul Central District Court, it sought and received one from a different district court, Chairman Hwang said, "This entire procedure is illegal."

"Furthermore, the Republic of Korea follows the fundamental principle of non-detention investigations," he said, pointing out that pursuing a detention investigation against President Yoon, who has no risk of fleeing or destroying evidence, "goes against the basics of judicial procedure."

Chairman Hwang said he anticipates that if the court "makes a proper judgment, it will not be an unfavorable one for the President."

When asked if he had a vision for cooperation between the Freedom and Innovation Party and the People Power Party, Chairman Hwang replied, "As party leader, I did not found this party to enjoy any special privileges for our members. I founded it to save the Republic of Korea."

He mentioned that at the time he left his previous party, there was a pervasive atmosphere where anyone who brought up the issue of election fraud was cast out, and he described the atmosphere at the time by saying that while "election fraud is the only way to save the free Republic of Korea," political parties denied it and ostracized those who brought it up.

Hwang Kyo-ahn (right), leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, is interviewed by NNP Editor-in-Chief Hong Sung-goo on the 25th (local time). / Photo = NNP-Hanmi Ilbo Joint Coverage.

Watching President Yoon face impeachment, he said, "I founded this party to create a party that fights and wins, a party that resonates with the hearts of the people, and a party that the people want."

He added, "If the People Power Party acts as a proper party at any time, we can work together."

However, Chairman Hwang remained cautious, saying, "I am a person who has already achieved a grand integration of right-wing parties. But at the current stage, there is no hope yet. There are leaders who have been well-established and are fighters. However, that must become the sentiment and the flow of the People Power Party; if only one or two people fight and collapse, and we go in there and collapse with them, then who will protect the Republic of Korea?"

Chairman Hwang added, "I will go my own way and hope that the People Power Party finds its place. If things work out, I will pursue that kind of integration again—just as I did before—to ensure that we can protect the Republic of Korea."

Chairman Hwang evaluated his visit to the U.S. highly. He said, "The United States is a blood alliance that is rare in the world," adding, "I have highlighted that once again."

He stated his belief that the U.S. government does not trust the Lee Jae-myung administration, and that he came to the U.S. to protect the blood alliance between Korea and the U.S., believing that many achievements have been made through various meetings.

Chairman Hwang said he will establish a U.S. organization for the Freedom and Innovation Party to "build a righteous Republic of Korea where Korea and the U.S. stand together." He added, "I attribute great significance to the fact that I have seen the possibility of creating a future world together with young people and building a top-tier normal nation that the world envies."

Regarding the Korean-American community, Chairman Hwang said, "I offer my support and gratitude. Every time the country has been in difficulty, although you left the homeland, you have never forgotten it and have continued to reach out and offer your support. You have given us great strength whenever the opportunity arose. I do not forget that. I believe that is a great source of strength for the Republic of Korea."

He added, "Whether we are abroad or at home, is our love for the Republic of Korea not the same? In that respect, I want to say that I have seen great potential and vision."

U.S. NNP = Editor-in-Chief Hong Sung-goo / Special Correspondent for this publication NNP info@newsandpost.com