Seoul: The floor leader of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has voiced strong criticism against President Lee Jae Myung's first 100 days in office, describing it as a period of "utter chaos" and condemning his approach to North Korea as detrimental to national security. Rep. Song Eon-seog delivered his remarks during his initial policy address at the first regular National Assembly session since Lee assumed office in June, urging the ruling Democratic Party (DP) to cease what he termed as a "reckless" legislative agenda and "one-party dictatorship."
According to Yonhap News Agency, Song denounced the administration's economic and security policies, claiming they have led to the collapse of the economy and the people's livelihoods. He criticized the administration's "anti-business and anti-market" stance, which he believes obstructs investment and job creation, while also condemning a North Korea policy he perceives as "humiliatingly submissive." He labeled the past 100 days as a period of chaos under what he described as an incompetent leadership.
Song further accused the administration and the DP of using political retribution by portraying the opposition as instigators of "insurrection" amidst an ongoing special counsel investigation into former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law attempt. He criticized the DP's efforts to pass three revision bills aimed at extending special counsel investigations into Yoon's martial law charges, allegations against his wife, Kim Keon Hee, and a military investigation into a Marine's death in 2023.
He argued that these special counsel probes have become tools of political retaliation and vowed to resist the DP's "legislative rampage." The DP, holding a parliamentary majority with 167 out of 298 seats, is pushing for these revisions along with controversial bills on prosecution, judiciary, and media reforms. The PPP claims these investigations are politically driven, whereas the DP asserts they are essential for accountability and truth.
Song also criticized President Lee's recent summit with U.S. President Donald Trump as unproductive, referencing the detention of over 300 South Korean workers in Georgia during a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution electric vehicle battery plant construction site.
In his call for a "firm and effective" North Korea policy, Song urged the government to avoid repeating the errors of the previous Moon Jae-in administration and to abandon what he described as a stance that compromises the nation's dignity and self-respect. Since assuming office, President Lee has taken a conciliatory approach towards North Korea, halting cross-border loudspeaker broadcasts and encouraging dialogue.