Rep. Song Eon-seok of the People Power Party speaks at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd. Yonhap News. 

The People Power Party criticized the special prosecutor's team led by Cho Eun-seok on the 3rd for requesting an arrest warrant for former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho on charges of engaging in a significant task related to martial law, calling it "vicious political retaliation and a humiliating show."

Speaking to reporters in Andong, Gyeongbuk, on the same day, Floor Leader Song Eon-seok stated, "I recall the special prosecutor's investigation being conducted with a predetermined conclusion," and declared, "We resolutely oppose the arrest warrant sought by the lawless special prosecutor."

He added, "If the motion for arrest sent to the National Assembly is unilaterally processed by the Democratic Party of Korea, it seems highly likely," and argued, "Even if it passes the National Assembly unilaterally, the warrant may be rejected by the court."

In a statement, Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon said, "The attempt to frame the decision of the People Power Party leadership, who did their best to protect the functions of the National Assembly at the time, as obstruction of a vote is nothing more than a low-level political maneuver to stigmatize the opposition party as a seditious force and suppress them," and added, "Former Floor Leader Choo faithfully cooperated with the lengthy investigation and has no concerns about evidence tampering or flight."

Park, the chief spokesperson, emphasized, "The request for an arrest warrant, despite the principle of investigation without detention, is a 'detention-first' mentality and a political performance to humiliate the former floor leader of the People Power Party, who has no charges against him," and stressed, "We will resolutely confront the special prosecutor's vicious political show."

Senior Deputy Floor Leader Choi Soo-jin also issued a statement, calling it "a clear political investigation that directly defies the rule of law and common sense," and said, "Despite former Floor Leader Choo having no involvement whatsoever in discussions of martial law or obstruction of a vote, the special prosecutor is solely focused on fabricating facts and imposing a political frame."

He further added, "It is clearly a political ploy to stigmatize the opposition party as a criminal group and an abuse of power," and "Ultimately, the special prosecutor will only destroy their own legitimacy."

The People Power Party views the special prosecutor's request for an arrest warrant for former Floor Leader Choo as connected to the government's "suppression of the opposition," and is considering measures such as a boycott of President Lee Jae-myung's policy address scheduled for the 4th, and protest picketing.

Yonhap News