The five gubernatorial candidates from the People Power Party's Yeongnam region are holding a press conference at the Ulsan City Hall Press Center on the 6th to condemn the Democratic Party's proposed special prosecutor bill to withdraw indictments. [Yonhap News]

Five gubernatorial candidates from the People Power Party in the Yeongnam region, who are running in the June 3 local elections, gathered to strongly condemn the Democratic Party's proposed special prosecutor bill concerning alleged fabricated indictments.

Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyeong-jun, Daegu mayoral candidate Choo Gyeong-ho, Ulsan mayoral candidate Kim Du-gyeom, Gyeongbuk provincial governor candidate Lee Cheol-woo, and Gyeongnam provincial governor candidate Park Wan-soo held a joint press conference at the Ulsan City Hall Press Center on the 6th.

They claimed that the "Special Prosecutor Bill on Allegations of Fabricated Investigation and Indictment by the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration," led by the Democratic Party, is a "judicial coup" and "judicial rebellion."

Kim Du-gyeom, the first to speak, criticized, "The Democratic Party, taking advantage of the public's focus on the local elections, has introduced a special prosecutor bill to investigate allegations of 'fabricated indictment' in President Lee Jae-myung's case." He added, "Allowing a special prosecutor appointed by the president to withdraw a trial against the president violates the constitutional principle of separation of powers and constitutes undue interference in judicial procedures."

Park Wan-soo stated, "Attempting to nullify one's own case through the withdrawal of indictment during the presidential term goes beyond the privatization of power and is an unconstitutional act against the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea." He further elaborated, "The Democratic Party is attempting to exploit the suspension of the president's trial during their term as a personal pardon."

Park Hyeong-jun emphasized, "This special prosecutor bill is a 'sin-erasing special prosecutor bill' that allows one to erase their own guilt, rendering the court's function of discovering substantive truth powerless by granting the president a self-issued pardon." He stressed, "This contravenes Article 11 of the Constitution, which states that all citizens are equal before the law."

Lee Cheol-woo urged, "The president, who took an oath to uphold the constitution a year ago, has surprisingly taken the stance that the introduction of this bill is essential, rather than calling for its withdrawal." He continued, "Not only should this special prosecutor bill not pass the National Assembly, but even if it does, the president must exercise his veto power."

Choo Gyeong-ho raised his voice, stating, "The essence of this special prosecutor bill is an arrogant declaration that no citizen should question President Lee Jae-myung's crimes, and President Lee, perhaps fearing public resistance, is only talking about timing." He concluded, "Ultimately, this is no different from an admission that the president himself is behind this attempt to launder crimes."

People Power Party Yeongnam region gubernatorial candidates hold a press conference. [Yonhap News]

During the subsequent Q&A session, the candidates appealed to the public to recognize the seriousness of the issue and resist together.

When asked by reporters if this press conference was a political move to rally supporters in the local elections, Park Hyeong-jun replied, "We must accurately inform the voters of the Yeongnam region about the seriousness of the situation, and this matter cannot be resolved without the people's intervention." He added, "I believe the problem can be corrected when the people strongly voice their concerns and the government accepts them."

Kim Du-gyeom asked, "The Democratic Party has slightly postponed this issue until after the local elections, but where will our country and democracy go if this bill passes?" He further stated, "It must be stopped regardless of the election, and the driving force for that will come from the people."