Jeong Cheong-rae (left), leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Eo-jun, president of Ttanzilbo. [Photo=Yonhap News] 

The civic group Committee for Measures for the People's Livelihoods (CMPL) has notified Kim Eo-jun, president of Ttanzilbo, and Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, demanding that they choose by the 11th whether to cooperate with legal action (investigation) regarding allegations of violating the UN's 'ban on remittances to North Korea' and Lee Jae-myung's 'foreign exchange crime,' or to remain as accomplices.

The CMPL announced a statement in the names of Secretary-General Kim Soon-hwan, Planning Director Ji Soo-hyun, and Video Director Lee Seong-yoon, stating that if they do not cooperate, they will request entry bans and financial transaction sanctions from the UN, the United States, and the EU.

Kim Soon-hwan, Secretary-General of the CMPL, stated, "The 'remittances to North Korea' suspicions raised by the Special Committee for National Audit (Special Committee for State Audit) represent a determination to apply the framework of international law violations (UN Security Council Resolutions 1718, 1874, etc.), moving beyond simple domestic politics." He characterized the special prosecution proposed by the Democratic Party as an attempt to grant virtually the power to withdraw indictments and shake the rule of law.

Lee Jae-myung, who is facing allegations of violating the UN's 'ban on remittances to North Korea.'

The following is the full text of the CMPL's statement:

Esteemed Citizens and Journalists!

The Committee for Measures for the People's Livelihoods (hereinafter referred to as CMPL), based on the truths revealed in the Special Committee for National Audit on April 30th, strongly urges Kim Eo-jun, president of Ttanzilbo, and all 166 affiliated lawmakers, including Jeong Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

We urge you to clearly state your position by May 11th, after this press conference, on whether you will cooperate with legal action (investigation) regarding the allegations of violating the UN's 'ban on remittances to North Korea' and Lee Jae-myung's 'foreign exchange crime,' or remain as accomplices.

Depending on the outcome, the CMPL will strongly request entry bans and financial transaction sanctions from the UN, the United States, and the EU against the individuals concerned, in accordance with international law, UN Security Council Resolutions, and US and EU sanctions resolutions against North Korea.

The results of the Special Committee for National Audit's investigation, along with the testimonies of Kim Seong-tae, chairman of Ssangbangul, and other related parties, have transformed the reasonable suspicion that a portion of the 'remittances to North Korea' was used as a means to maintain the political power of specific individuals into a firm conviction.

Rather than self-reflection, the Democratic Party, in light of these facts, is making a reckless attempt by presenting 'prosecutorial fabrication of evidence' as a reason for Representative Chun Jun-oh and 30 others to propose a 'special prosecution bill,' which can only be seen as an attempt to grant the power of withdrawal of indictment.

This is merely the beginning of another crime that shakes the rule of law. Therefore, the prosecution must conduct a swift and thorough investigation based on the complaint filed by the CMPL with the Suwon District Prosecutors' Office on July 28, 2025. Only then can the damaged reputation of the prosecution be restored and the gravity of the law be re-established.

The CMPL has already filed complaints against Lee Jae-myung, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and all Democratic Party lawmakers on June 2025, based on the Supreme Court's ruling and relevant legal principles. Although the public petition for the case has met the review requirements with over 50,000 approvals, the realization of the rule of law is being delayed due to reasons such as review postponement.

The CMPL will inform the international community and lead international cooperation regarding the 'illegal remittances to North Korea' of $8 million between 2018-19, which is a heinous act that the international community cannot tolerate, as it directly violates the 'ban on remittances to North Korea' resolution (2006 Resolution 1718, 2009 Resolution 1874) unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council permanent members (United States, United Kingdom, France, China, Russia).

Now is the time to re-establish the dignity of the rule of law in the Republic of Korea in cooperation with the international community. The CMPL reaffirms that it will not stop until the truth is revealed.

We urge you once again. Based on the truth born from the Special Committee for National Audit's 'remittances to North Korea,' will it be the presidential office of Lee Jae-myung, or the entire National Assembly of the Democratic Party of Korea?

President Kim Eo-jun and Representative Jeong Cheong-rae must make a choice.

CMPL Secretary-General Kim Soon-hwan, Planning Director Ji Soo-hyun, Video Director Lee Seong-yoon

CMPL Donation Account: Post Office 010108-01-014472 

Account Holder: Committee for Measures for the People's Livelihoods