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Song Eon-seok, interim leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, speaks during a general assembly at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on July 9. / Source: Yonhap News

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) announced on July 9 that it will establish an internal task force this week to respond to the special counsel investigation led by Min Jung-ki, which has recently included search and seizure operations and travel bans against opposition lawmakers.

"We discussed the matter at today’s general assembly, and lawmakers unanimously agreed to form the task force," PPP floor spokesperson Park Sung-hoon told reporters. "We expect to announce its launch as early as this week."

Addressing claims by the opposition that PPP lawmakers had previously signed pledges in 2023 to forgo arrest immunity, Park clarified, "While we oppose parliamentary arrest immunity in principle, the real issue here is the current administration's excessive investigation, political retaliation, and oppression of the opposition."

He added that Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun had described the raid on his home as "excessive and disproportionate," and several lawmakers echoed that view, arguing that search warrants were executed despite the absence of any proven exchange of funds. "This is clearly an unnecessary and overreaching investigation," Park said.

Regarding PPP interim leader and floor leader Song Eon-seok’s proposed “Special Law to Prevent Dictatorship,” Park said, "The bill will be introduced as soon as it's ready—possibly within this week. There is a sense of urgency in the party, and consensus that we must respond strongly to the Democratic Party's increasingly unilateral control."

Meanwhile, internal tensions surfaced over Rep. Cho Kyung-tae’s recent criticism of 45 opposition lawmakers who had gathered in front of former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s official residence in Hannam-dong to block his arrest. "Some lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction with Rep. Cho's remarks," Park noted.