National Power Party Metropolitan Mayoral and Gubernatorial Candidates Holding a Press Conference [Yonhap News]

The National Power Party continued its offensive on May 5th against the Democratic Party's so-called special prosecutor bill regarding alleged politically motivated indictments.

In particular, they highlighted President Lee's remark from the previous day, "Please decide on the timing and procedures through public opinion," and attempted to promote the narrative of holding the government and ruling party accountable in the June 3rd local elections.

Jang Dong-hyuk, the party leader, held a press conference at the National Assembly today and, referencing President Lee's message from the previous day, stated, "The conclusion is to ultimately withdraw the indictment, but to delay the timing," adding, "Withdrawing the indictment oneself is a serious crime, whether done now or later."

He continued, "Withdrawing the indictment does not erase the committed crimes," and warned, "Rather, you will only receive aggravated punishment for the illegal and unconstitutional withdrawal of the indictment later. You will regret the day you truly do in prison, underestimating the people of South Korea."

Park Choong-kwon, the senior deputy floor leader, criticized, "President Lee's sudden mention of 'adjusting the speed' is a smoke screen to avoid the public's stinging gaze," and asserted, "The unconstitutional special prosecutor that selects prosecutors and the retaliatory legislation that neutralizes investigative agencies are nothing more than a 'fixed game' between the Presidential Office and the Democratic Party."

National Power Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk Strongly Criticizes the Push for a Special Prosecutor for Alleged Politically Motivated Indictments [Yonhap News]

The National Power Party's metropolitan mayoral and gubernatorial candidates also held an emergency press conference at Bosingak in Jongno-gu today, criticizing the special prosecutor bill as "the ultimate destroyer of the constitutional order, anti-democratic and unconstitutional."

Candidates present at the conference included Oh Se-hoon (Seoul), Yoo Jeong-bok (Incheon), Yang Hyang-ja (Gyeonggi), Kim Jin-tae (Gangwon), Kim Young-hwan (Chungbuk), Yang Jung-moo (Jeonbuk), and Choi Min-ho (Sejong).

Candidate Oh Se-hoon stated, "The moment the law becomes a shield to erase the sins of those in power, it is no longer a state of law but a dictatorship," and vowed, "We will form a united front with all political parties, civil society, and citizens who share the same will to defend the constitution and fight them to the end."

He also admonished Jeong Won-oh, the Democratic Party's candidate for Seoul Mayor, for "consistently remaining silent without expressing his stance on the special prosecutor bill." He added, "If you do not quickly state your position, considering the angry sentiments of the citizens of Seoul, you will inevitably face the assessment of being not just a 'submissive type' but the 'President's poodle.'"

Earlier, candidates Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Jeong-bok had also attended the "Emergency Joint Conference of Metropolitan Mayoral and Gubernatorial Candidates to Prevent Judicial Rebellion" proposed by Cho Eung-cheon, a candidate from the Reform Party, the previous day.

While the conservative opposition, including the National Power Party and the Reform Party, had been in a "survival of the fittest" mode due to controversies surrounding Leader Jang Dong-hyuk's stance, they are now showing signs of forming a joint front in the election, starting with the proposal of the special prosecutor bill.

On May 5th, in front of Bosingak in Jongno-gu, Seoul, National Power Party Sejong Mayor Candidate Choi Min-ho (from left), Jeonbuk Governor Candidate Yang Jung-moo, Gyeonggi Governor Candidate Yang Hyang-ja, Seoul Mayor Candidate Oh Se-hoon, Incheon Mayor Candidate Yoo Jeong-bok, Chungbuk Governor Candidate Kim Young-hwan, and Gangwon Governor Candidate Kim Jin-tae chant slogans after holding an "Emergency Press Conference of National Power Party Metropolitan Mayoral and Gubernatorial Candidates to Prevent Lee Jae-myung's Judicial Coup." [Yonhap News]