Noh Woong-rae “Democratic Party sabotage… We have to stick together”
On the 14th, as the National Assembly began the process of consenting to the arrest of Democratic Party lawmaker Noh Woong-rae, who had been requested for an arrest warrant on charges of receiving bribes and illegal political funds, voices continued within the Democratic Party on the 14th that they should be left to free voting. Although this issue is defined as ‘political retaliation’ and the party responds together, it is difficult to adopt it as a party argument considering the political burden. The Democratic Party plans to hold a general meeting of lawmakers prior to the plenary session on the 15th, when the motion for arrest is reported, and discuss related issues following listening to Rep. Roh’s call.
On the 14th, Rep. Ki Dong-min, an opposition secretary of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said on MBC radio, “I can never tolerate and accept the retaliation investigation of a politically oppressive nature that is being concentrated on opposition figures.” , I think it is the basic duty of party politics that responsible personnel in the party have reasonable positions on this issue.” When asked if it meant that the Democratic Party should vote once morest it even if the arrest motion was put to a vote, he said, “It is not an issue that can be decided by the party, but it is clearly retaliatory and accurately recognizes the situations in which politically biased retaliatory investigations are being conducted and explains to the public. You should be able to give.”
Rep. Min-seok Ahn also commented on the case of Rep. Roh on BBS Radio that day, saying, “If you look at the case of Rep. Roh, it almost overlaps with the case in which three prominent members of the opposition party were arrested in 2014 at the time Jae-yoon Kim, Gye-ryun Shin, and Shin Hak-yong.” Yes, and Rep. Roh himself denies it. This is a typical tactic used by the prosecution when tying politicians together.” He said, “Rep. Roh has been conducting normal legislative activities and issuing an arrest warrant even though there is no fear of destroying evidence or escaping is discrediting and trialing public opinion. I think lawmakers will judge this well.” However, regarding the possibility of adopting the party argument, he said, “It is true that it is a dilemma from the Democratic Party’s point of view (passing or rejecting),” and “if the general meeting is held, I will convince lawmakers that it is a déjà vu with the 2014 case.”
Opinions continued saying that following fully listening to Rep. Roh’s explanation, it should be left to each member’s decision. Rep. Park Yong-jin said on CBS Radio that day, “Rep. Roh has already appealed for his injustice a couple of times, and he will have an opportunity to express his injustice at the General Assembly and the main conference hall.” It will be left to the conscience and judgment of the people.” Rep. Kim Doo-gwan also said on SBS Radio the same day, “When the arrest motion comes to the National Assembly, Rep. Roh gets the right to speak and explains his position all the time. If (the explanation) goes well, the right to defense is guaranteed.”
Rep. Roh held a press conference at the Communication Hall of the National Assembly this morning and said, “The bundle of money the prosecution confiscated from my house is just a work created by the prosecution,” and said, “It made me an immoral politician by putting the money that was unfairly confiscated at the forefront.” appealed to At the time of the seizure and search, he revealed photos of the money contained in the envelopes of congratulatory money and condolence money, saying, “I mightn’t organize it, so I left dozens of envelopes of congratulatory money and condolence money like this. He said, “They branded me as a corrupt politician by making a wad of cash that was not on the search warrant or on the seizure list.”
He appealed, saying, “I am not the only political prosecutor Yoon Seok-yeol,” and “the Democratic Party must unite and resolutely oppose the sabotage that tries to divide and disintegrate the party by covering it with the frame of’corrupt politician’.”
Reporter Kim Ji-hyun jhk85@donga.com
