Kim Soon-hwan (center), Secretary-General of the Committee for the People's Livelihood and Welfare, protested in front of the National Assembly for 8 days from November 26th, enduring sub-zero temperatures without a tent, demanding an explanation for the Daejang-dong suspicions, measures to stabilize the housing market, and the recovery of illicit profits. Colleagues came to offer support during the hunger strike. ⒸHanmi Ilbo

The civic group, Committee for the People's Livelihood and Welfare (Seominwi), has filed a complaint against President Lee Jae-myung, First Deputy Secretary-General Kim Hyun-ji of the Presidential Office, and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok for alleged abuse of power and other charges.

Kim Soon-hwan, Secretary-General of Seominwi, announced on the 8th that they filed complaints with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency against President Lee and Deputy Secretary-General Kim for abuse of power and sedition, and against Prime Minister Kim for abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and complicity in sedition.

In its complaint, Seominwi stated, "President Lee and Deputy Secretary-General Kim, having shared life and death throughout their time as Mayor of Seongnam and Governor of Gyeonggi Province, violated numerous laws, leading to five trials (election law violations, Daejang-dong, etc.). However, they halted these proceedings under the pretext of winning the presidency." The group further alleged, "Even after becoming president, they have continued to engage in actions that undermine social standards, including: ① tacitly permitting and abetting the severe injuries sustained by the Korean Coast Guard due to daily incursions and violence by Chinese fishing vessels in the West Sea; ② intentionally excluding 10 districts and manipulating statistics for the '10.15 Housing Market Stabilization Measures'; and ③ preventing the recovery of 870 billion won in criminal proceeds, thereby enraging 930,000 citizens of Seongnam, by abandoning the Daejang-dong appeal."

Seominwi further contended that President Lee and Deputy Secretary-General Kim have disregarded the constitution, the foundation of the rule of law, and have insulted the public. They cited the following as examples: ① the formation of a "Government Innovation TF to Respect the Constitution" that monitors the mobile phones of 750,000 public officials and the operation of 48 ministries (violating Article 17 of the Constitution on the privacy and freedom of correspondence and Article 18 on the secrecy of communications); ② issuing an order to dissolve religious foundations (violating Article 20, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution guaranteeing freedom of religion); ③ revealing bias by remaining silent on anti-American protests while issuing strong directives to expel those involved in anti-Chinese protests (depriving them of the freedom of assembly and association under Article 21, Paragraph 1 of the Constitution); ④ the abolition of the Prosecutor's Office (contrary to Article 89, Item 16 regarding the Prosecutor General); and ⑤ severely infringing upon the authority of the judiciary by enacting a law to establish a special court for sedition (violating Article 103 of the Constitution regarding independent judgment based on conscience).

Furthermore, the group asserted, "Just as former President Park Geun-hye and Choi Seo-won were identified as an 'economic community' and held legally responsible, Lee Jae-myung and Kim Hyun-ji, as a 'community of fate,' must bear legal responsibility for abuse of power and sedition."

Regarding Prime Minister Kim and all cabinet members whose names were not specified, Seominwi stated, "Their consistent silence and complicity, rather than raising issues and demanding a halt to the seditious acts that undermine national order and violate the constitution and laws, constitutes abuse of power, dereliction of duty, and complicity in sedition, despite their role as servants of the people (Article 7 of the Constitution)."

The group further criticized, "While the accused, Lee Jae-myung and Kim Hyun-ji, engage in a dangerous dance of threats and coercion against the public, the accused Kim Min-seok and the entire cabinet have consistently remained silent and supportive instead of stopping them. This is an act of self-admission to being involved in sedition and complicity in sedition."

Finally, Seominwi emphasized, "The excessive actions stemming from the irresponsibility and thoughtlessness of these accused pose a risk of ruining the nation's future, inflicting immense suffering on the public, and breeding further social unrest. A swift and thorough investigation to uncover criminal facts, followed by strict application of the zero-tolerance principle regardless of status, is the only way to apply a severe punishment that aligns with public sentiment."

Hanmi Ilbo Editorial Bureau

Seominwi Donation Account: Post Office 010108-01-014472

Account Holder: Committee for the People's Livelihood and Welfare