The Democratic Party delivered a sharp rebuke against Ahn Cheol-soo, a legislator from the People Power Party, for staging a protest against special pardons during the Liberation Day ceremony.

On August 16, Baek Seung-a, the party's spokesperson, criticized Ahn for holding a banner opposing the August 15 Liberation Day special pardons at the official celebration. "Ahn Cheol-soo undermined a solemn occasion that honors independence heroes and the spirit of the era for his own political ambitions," said Baek in an official statement.

Baek went on to accuse Ahn of turning the commemorative event into a "political stunt" to promote his candidacy in the party leadership race. She further criticized other People Power Party lawmakers, including Song Eon-seok—who has been involved in assaulting a party staffer—Jeon Han-gil, who has propagated claims of election fraud, Jang Dong-hyuk, and Kim Moon-su, who previously defended martial law. "These puppets, who were silent throughout the Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee administration, have now resorted to obstruction and internal power struggles under the Lee Jae-myung government, dishonoring Liberation Day," Baek claimed.

She continued, "Why do those who are brave enough to stage picket protests and make inflammatory remarks on Liberation Day stay silent and submissive in front of Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee?"

Baek, as the Democratic Party's spokesperson, asserted, "The People Power Party, which abetted and justified martial law and rebellion as accomplices under Yoon Suk-yeol and Kim Keon-hee, is no different from the pro-Japanese collaborators who waved the national flag after liberation, pretending to stand with the people." She added, "As descendants of pro-Japanese elements and dictatorship who advocate for rebellion, the People Power Party must be completely eradicated. Those collaborators who have ruined the nation must be held accountable by history and by law."

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News