Civic groups oppose Park Deuk-hum's election as vice speaker

A coalition of seven civic groups has renewed its opposition to the potential election of Park Deuk-hum, a member of the People Power Party, as the second vice speaker of the National Assembly. The groups, including the Busan Democratic Uprising Memorial Foundation and the 10.16 Busan Democratic Uprising Memorial Foundation, issued a second statement on May 4th, asserting that Park is unfit for the role due to his past conduct concerning constitutional matters.

These organizations specifically pointed to Park's alleged failure to uphold constitutional order following the "December 3rd illegal martial law incident." They cited his abstention from votes on lifting martial law and impeaching then-President Yoon Suk-yeol, as well as his participation in petitions and protests related to the impeachment trial. The groups contend that Park's actions not only failed to hold those responsible for the martial law and rebellion accountable but also sought to evade and dilute responsibility.

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The National Assembly must make a choice that is not shameful before the name of the democratic republic built with the blood and sacrifice of the people. The democratic spirit of the Busan Uprising, Gwangju, and the June Struggle will remember this vote.

"His consistent political behavior can be evaluated as complicity in rebellion," the groups stated. They emphasized that the vice speaker's position represents the procedural authority of parliamentary democracy and the dignity of constitutional order. Allowing Park to assume this role, they argued, would be an act of the National Assembly undermining its own authority.

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His consistent political behavior can be evaluated as complicity in rebellion.

The civic groups drew a parallel between the trivialization of the May 18th Democratic Uprising by Starbucks and Park's candidacy, suggesting that while the former commodified democratic memory, Park's nomination would politically neutralize it. They declared their inability to accept Park, who has advocated against impeachment and for its dismissal or rejection, becoming the vice speaker.

"The National Assembly must make a choice that is not shameful before the name of the democratic republic built with the blood and sacrifice of the people," the groups urged. "The democratic spirit of the Busan Uprising, Gwangju, and the June Struggle will remember this vote." The People Power Party nominated Park as its candidate on April 13th, with the National Assembly scheduled to elect its speaker and vice speakers on May 5th.

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Park Deuk-hum has no right to be the vice speaker of the National Assembly, as he has neglected his duty to protect the constitution.