Protests to the Rejection of an Arrest Agreement

On December 31, civic groups’ protests continued as the National Assembly rejected an arrest agreement bill on seven lawmakers including Choi Don-ung of the National Grand Party (GNP) for whom advance arrest warrants were issued.

Around 40 members of People`s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy had an urgent meeting in front of the GNP’s headquaters in Yoido, Seoul at noon on this day and claimed that, “Those seven lawmakers should be immediately arrested and the National Assembly which only covers up for them should be dismissed.”

A manager, Hong Seok-in, of People`s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy’s National Assembly Watch said, “We can’t stand those lawmakers who were shameless in their actions,” and “We’ll prepare a voter’s judgment movement involving a want of confidence for all lawmakers.

They tried to make their way into the building with ropes and handcuffs, saying, “We will arrest them ourselves as we have rights as civilians.”

At one p.m. on the day, around 20 members Korean People’s Solidarity had a meeting with a performance showing the burning of a 1m-by-1m model of the National Assembly building in front of Korean Housing Guarantee Co., Ltd. building.

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and the Citizen’s Coalition for Economic Justice issued statements each on December 30 announcing that, “We will judge not only those lawmakers who committed illegal acts but also all lawmakers who made thoughtless decisions in the 17th general election.”

tesomiom@donga.com