[Joo Young-jin's News Briefing]

When quoting this interview, please credit the program name 'SBS <Joo Young-jin's News Briefing>' accurately. Copyright belongs to SBS.

■ Broadcast: SBS <Joo Young-jin's News Briefing> Mon–Fri (14:00–15:20)
■ Host: Anchor Joo Young-jin
■ Guest: Jeong Jeom-sik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party
--------------------------------------------

● Interview with Jeong Jeom-sik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party

"The prosecution's supplementary investigative power must be preserved... It is a right for the people, not prosecutors"
"DP unilaterally operates standing committees... A dilemma for the PPP"
"PPP's return to the National Assembly will be decided through negotiations between ruling and opposition parties"
"The 'mouth-gagging law' is excessive regulation... The standards themselves are arbitrary"
"Lawmakers say internal party conflict over local election evaluations must not drag on"
"Not saying there shouldn't be disciplinary action by the Ethics Committee... But it must be at a level that people can agree with"
"I don't understand Cho Kyoung-tae... He shouldn't have run for Vice Speaker of the National Assembly"
"Jang Dong-hyuk's fate will depend on how consensus is formed within the party"
"I always say that resolving the PPP's internal conflict must not be delayed"
"The election result is neither a complete success nor a failure... The public has left us a thin thread of hope"
--------------------------------------------

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: We are joined by Jeong Jeom-sik, the floor leader of the main opposition party, the People Power Party. Welcome. You look bright, but have you been sleeping well lately?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: I haven't been sleeping well. The internal party situation is extremely complex, and the struggle against the ruling party doesn't seem like it will be resolved easily, so I am truly having a difficult time day by day.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: It must be a time when you have to be extremely careful with every single word you say. How is it?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: That is true. Some media outlets evaluate it in various ways, saying things like 'walking a tightrope' or 'drawing a line.' Since I cannot help but be mindful of those things, I think each day is even more challenging.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: The hardest part must be answering reporters' questions. You have to do that on the spot.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct. And since they always ask difficult questions due to the party's situation, it becomes increasingly difficult.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: I might have to ask some difficult questions today as well, but I will do that in a moment. You met with Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho this morning, didn't you?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Just a moment ago, we covered the crime of Jang Yoon-ki, where some shortcomings in the police investigation were revealed during the prosecution's investigation process. I assume you, Floor Leader Jeong, must have argued that the supplementary investigative power is necessary.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct. I spoke about why the supplementary investigative power is necessary. This supplementary investigative power is not a right for the prosecutors themselves. It is a right for the people, and it refers to the measures that a prosecutor must naturally take to wipe away the tears of victims. Therefore, I emphasized that the prosecution's supplementary investigative power must be preserved. Just a moment ago, I heard some talk regarding the so-called right to request supplementary investigations. As they say, the right to request a supplementary investigation means looking at the police and requesting them to conduct an investigation because such an investigation is deemed necessary.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Right.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: But in the case of arrest cases like this one, it is practically ineffective. For arrest cases, the period during which the prosecution can investigate is limited to 10 or 20 days.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Right. Currently, it is a maximum of 20 days.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Currently, that is the case, but that maximum of 20 days is when the prosecution has investigative powers. If they do not have investigative powers, they would only be able to verify, review records, and indict, and they would not be given such a long detention period for investigation. If they request a supplementary investigation from the police within that short period, it is ultimately impossible. In that case, what action can the prosecution take? They would have to cancel the arrest and then request a supplementary investigation. How can our citizens tolerate such a situation? Therefore, I emphasized to the Minister of Justice that the prosecution's supplementary investigative power is absolutely necessary not for the prosecutors, but for the people.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Minister of Justice Jeong Seong-ho is also a fellow legal professional, and as far as I know, he holds the conviction that supplementary investigative power is necessary under limited conditions. However, because the Democratic Party's platform is so unyielding, even within the government, former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok recently stated that the government also agrees with the complete abolition of supplementary investigative power. So, hasn't the stance of the Democratic Party and the government's Ministry of Justice been aligned? What did Minister Jeong say today?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: When I spoke about preserving the supplementary investigative power in that manner, he said that it is ultimately a matter to be handled by the National Assembly, which holds legislative power, and expressed his hope that we would enter the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as soon as possible so that the ruling and opposition parties can discuss the related issues together.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: In the end, it seems his point was that the People Power Party should participate in the standing committee activities, even if you cannot take the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and discuss it to work out some sort of adjustment. What is the current situation of the People Power Party?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: The Democratic Party has unilaterally started operating the standing committees, leaving us with only seven committees. So, in a way, we are in a dilemma. While there is a public desire and internal party voices calling for the swift resolution of issues such as the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act and the introduction of a special counsel law due to the infringement on voting rights, there is also another side. The reason the Democratic Party took 11 committee chairmanships, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is particularly significant. Previously, the principle of checks and balances was achieved by having the largest party take the National Assembly Speaker, who has the authority to table bills in the plenary session, while the second-largest party took the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which has the authority to review the system and wording of bills passed by all standing committees. However, at some point, the Democratic Party took both positions, breaking the checks and balances in the National Assembly. Many are asking how we can just enter under these circumstances. Ultimately, we will continue negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties as much as possible, and make a decision while taking into account the opinion that we should enter the National Assembly to resolve these difficult issues.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Isn't making that very decision what makes being a floor leader so difficult?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, it is.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: The voices of the People Power Party lawmakers must be so diverse as well.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that's right.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Some are saying, "Let's go in; if we don't participate in the National Assembly, we should return our salaries," while others are even calling for a full boycott or the collective resignation of all assembly members because of the Democratic Party's actions, aren't they?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct. Some speak of a collective resignation of assembly members, while others suggest that it would be more effective to enter and fight from within the chamber. We will listen to various opinions, continue negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, and then make a decision.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: You also seem to be continuously raising concerns about the amendment to the Act on Promotion of Information and Communications Network Utilization and Information Protection?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct. In fact, I compared it to King Yeonsangun's Sinonpae (a tablet for cautioning speech).

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: In the past, during King Yeonsangun's reign, officials wore a Sinonpae around their necks, which was probably a warning to watch their words and actions, right?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes. That is why we have ultimately dubbed it the "mouth-gagging law" (Iptle-mak law).

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: A modern-day Sinonpae.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes. We are calling it a modern-day Sinonpae or a mouth-gagging law, and it is ultimately an excessive regulation. It allows for fines of up to 1 billion won to be imposed, and punitive damages can be up to five times the actual damage. Furthermore, once a report is filed, platform operators must determine whether the reported content is false or manipulated information, perform self-censorship, and delete it. But by what standard can they determine if it is false or manipulated? The standard itself is highly arbitrary, leading to self-censorship based on the reporter's whim. If this system continues to be implemented, our citizens will have no choice but to self-censor and shut their mouths. That is why we are calling this an infringement on the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression. Therefore, we pledge to make efforts to block this in the future.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Regarding this situation, the Democratic Party, of course, maintains the stance that "this is a bill to guarantee freedom of expression rather than infringe upon it." In any case, the law has been in effect since July 7, hasn't it? We will have to see whether the situations the People Power Party is concerned about will actually manifest during its implementation. Regardless, the role of the main opposition party is always extremely important. But do you ever feel that your voice, Floor Leader Jeong, is not being fully conveyed through the media? It seems the media always focuses on the People Power Party's internal issues first. What do you think?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct. What we are worried about is that various remarks are being made within the party regarding the evaluation of the local election results after the election. These are ultimately viewed as internal conflicts, which I believe are acting as a factor that degrades public trust in our party.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: You have met with almost all the lawmakers grouped by their terms of office, haven't you? How is it?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: I have met with those who have served five or more terms, four terms, and two terms, but I have not yet met with the three-term and first-term lawmakers. I am listening to a variety of opinions.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Once you meet with the three-term and first-term lawmakers, will that mostly wrap it up?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes, that is correct.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: What are the general voices of the lawmakers you have met so far?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes. There are very diverse voices. First, some say that the leadership must take responsibility for the local election results. Others ask whether we should continue to present a scene of internal party division to the public when we have pressing issues like negotiations on the composition of the National Assembly and the reform of the National Election Commission due to the infringement on voting rights, and thus argue that now is the time to wage a strong struggle against the ruling party. However, what everyone has in common is that they all agree this situation must not be dismissed as mere internal conflict and allowed to drag on for a long time.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: That is why many lawmakers are saying that, as a result, you, Floor Leader Jeong, have no choice but to play the most important role in this situation, aren't they?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: That is why my heart is even heavier.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Regarding the disciplinary issue, you have recently been talking about the "eye level of the public." The media seems to interpret this as saying "do not take disciplinary action." Is that correct?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: No, that is not the case. Every organization has a disciplinary system to run the organization. However, such disciplinary action must be exercised at a level that our citizens, party members, and lawmakers can sympathize with. In terms of what incident to discipline, whom to discipline, and what level of discipline to impose, I am saying there should not be any disciplinary action that makes our citizens think, "Isn't that wrong?" in these three aspects. Since the Ethics Committee is also fully aware of this, I expect our ethics committee members to make a wise decision.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Recently, there has been talk about lawmakers who supported Representative Han Dong-hoon during the election, but Representative Cho Kyoung-tae's name is being mentioned a lot. It is said that during the voting process for the Vice Speaker of the National Assembly in the plenary chamber, he told the Democratic Party not to vote for Representative Park Duk-hyum, saying "not that person." Because of this, People Power Party lawmakers seem to be seething with anger. But isn't Representative Cho Kyoung-tae's reaction, "What is wrong with that?" How do you see it?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: That is the part we do not understand. If that was the case, he should not have run in the internal party election to select the candidate for Vice Speaker of the National Assembly. I heard that after running, and after our lawmakers elected Representative Park Duk-hyum as the Vice Speaker candidate, he spoke to Democratic Party lawmakers to the effect that they should not vote for him.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: You heard about it.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: I did hear about it directly. Ultimately, I think this is a point where many lawmakers are angry, questioning why someone would run in such an election within our party if they are going to act this way, and why they are even active in the party together.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Then, will that matter also have to be discussed again by the Ethics Committee or similar bodies in the future?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Since the authority to table agenda items lies with the Ethics Committee Chairperson, it is very difficult for me, as the floor leader, to say whether we should or should not take disciplinary action against lawmakers on such matters.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: When do you think the issue of Leader Jang Dong-hyuk's future should be resolved? The regular session of the National Assembly is approaching soon, so shouldn't it be settled before then?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: I always say that the timing "should not be late," but ultimately, I think this depends on how opinions are gathered within the party. In the end, what our lawmakers are thinking is that, in any case, the party must be stabilized and the conflict must be overcome as soon as possible. To do that, the party leader should either continue in this position until his term ends next year, or resign midway over some issue of responsibility. Many lawmakers hold the view that, without setting a specific deadline like before September, the process of making such a decision must not escalate into another conflict within our party, and I share that view. Therefore, many people are contemplating ways to achieve a smooth and stable soft landing, and I am also pondering this together with them.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: What is your evaluation, Floor Leader Jeong, of the results of the last local elections and parliamentary by-elections?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: I find it difficult to agree that this election result was a success, nor can I say it was a complete failure. However, I evaluate it as the public expressing their intent, saying, "We haven't given you our trust yet, but we will leave you with a tiny, thin thread to fight against the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party." Therefore, I believe we must unite even more within the party and wage an external struggle.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: The situation before you, Floor Leader Jeong, involves integration, innovation, rebuilding the conservative bloc, and on top of that, disciplinary actions. It seems you are carrying a heavy burden of finding a balance and an exquisitely harmonious solution to these issues?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Yes. That is why it is even more difficult.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: But aren't there more voices saying that the party's situation must be sorted out before the regular session of the National Assembly or before this year ends, so that it can become a stronger opposition party?

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: That is why, when I was asked in an interview whether it should be sorted out by February, by next February, I replied, "Should it really take that long?" So, many people are saying that this situation needs to be settled much sooner, and I agree with that, and I believe our lawmakers will agree as well. I would like to say that I will continue to work together with our lawmakers to resolve this difficult problem.

▷ [Anchor] Joo Young-jin: Understood. It seems reporters covering the People Power Party will have no choice but to pay close attention to your words, Floor Leader Jeong. We will invite you back at an appropriate time in the future to hear more from you. Thank you for your time.

▶ [Interview] Jeong Jeom-sik / Floor Leader of the People Power Party: Thank you.