The Committee for the Livelihood of Common People, the National Investigation Agency, the Lawyers' Association for Common People, and Bulssosiage, four civic groups, are urging the National Assembly to expedite the review of a citizen petition related to the impeachment of President Lee Jae-myung and the dissolution of the Democratic Party, in front of the National Assembly Communication Center. [Photo=Committee for the Livelihood of Common People]

Civic groups have urged the National Assembly to swiftly review a citizen petition concerning the "impeachment of Lee Jae-myung for foreign exchange crimes and the dissolution of the Democratic Party as accomplices in foreign exchange crimes," in relation to the "Act on Special Cases Concerning Criminal Procedure for Crimes of Sedition, Foreign Aggression, and Rebellion."

Four civic groups, namely the Committee for the Livelihood of Common People, the National Investigation Agency, the Lawyers' Association for Common People, and Bulssosiage, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 11th and demanded a swift review of the citizen petition titled "Impeachment of Lee Jae-myung for foreign exchange crimes and dissolution of the Democratic Party as accomplices in foreign exchange crimes," in connection with the Ssangbangul Group's remittance to North Korea case.

The argument is that since some judicial decisions have been finalized, the National Assembly should no longer postpone the conclusion.

In a joint statement, the civic groups stated, "The National Assembly not only extended the review of 'Impeachment of Lee Jae-myung for foreign exchange crimes and dissolution of the Democratic Party as accomplices in foreign exchange crimes,' related to the $8 million (approximately 11 billion won) remittance to North Korea in August 2018, despite the UN Security Council's prohibition on remittances to North Korea in 2006, by extending it to February 14th, but also attempted to extend it again," strongly demanding a swift review.

Furthermore, based on the Supreme Court's guilty verdict against former Vice Governor Lee Hwa-young in June last year, they pointed out, "Acts that benefited the primary enemy of the Republic of Korea have not only led to the destruction of the liberal democracy and constitutional order of the Republic of Korea but have also jeopardized the nation's existence and, furthermore, world peace."

They continued, "The path for Democratic Party leader Chung Cher-rae and People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk to promptly begin the review is to heed the will of the people and fulfill their roles as legislative bodies," repeatedly urging the leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties to expedite the process, prioritizing it over other trials.

Reporter Lim Yo-hee