Jung Jeom-sik "Is the intent to extend term through constitutional amendment and delay trials?"
Jung Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, said on the 8th, "There will be no constitutional amendment during this government," and stated, "We will absolutely not discuss constitutional amendment with forces seeking private interests through it." He also said the party would consider full abolition of the early voting system and extension of the main voting period.
Floor Leader Jung made these remarks during a negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly plenary session, saying, "The government and ruling party's top national policy priority now is the president's self-clearing of charges."
Regarding President Lee Jae-myung's mention of a second-term constitutional amendment, he said, "He never says 'I won't run for reelection' or 'I will face trial,'" and questioned, "Could the intent be to extend the presidential term through constitutional amendment and thereby delay trials?"
Floor Leader Jung criticized the government and ruling party, citing the fact that Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won served as co-chair of a Democratic Party meeting on presidential nolle prosequi and the Democratic Party's introduction of special investigation bills on nolle prosequi. He also argued that the increase in Supreme Court justices and the Presidential Office's request for the Supreme Court's re-nomination constitute infringement on judicial independence.
Addressing the judiciary, he stated, "Protecting the honor and pride of the judiciary is only a matter of fulfilling its original role," and urged the immediate resumption of five trials involving President Lee.
Regarding electoral systems, he pointed out the shortage of ballots during the June 3 local elections and said, "We will properly supervise the careless and arrogant National Election Commission." He then announced that the party would review full abolition of the early voting system and extension of the main voting period.
Concerning the abolition of the prosecution's supplementary investigation authority scheduled for October, he said, "Distortion of the judicial system leads to poor investigation, and poor investigation will result in suffering for the people," and stated the party would pursue revival of supplementary investigation authority.
For real estate policy, he proposed expanding housing supply through deregulation of private redevelopment and reconstruction, and reducing the tax burden on single-house owners. For young people and newlyweds' first-time home purchases, he promised acquisition tax reduction and ultra-low interest rate loan support.
Regarding single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs), he claimed that investment losses are estimated at 54 to 56 trillion won or more and demanded a state audit and special investigation. He emphasized the need to clarify whether there was pressure from authorities in the product introduction process and the circumstances of its launch shortly before the local elections.
He also criticized the government-led semiconductor cluster investment in the Honam region. Regarding the amended Labor Union Act, commonly called the "yellow envelope law," he said the party would revise it to clearly stipulate the employer status of primary contractors and the scope of negotiations.
Regarding fiscal and pension policies, he said excess tax revenues would be prioritized for repaying national debt and that the party would strengthen the independence and expertise of the National Pension Fund Management Committee. He added that the system of reducing old-age pensions based on earned income would also be abolished.
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