PPP rallies against ‘judicial destruction bills,’ launches street protest

Mar 04, 2026, 09:51 am

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People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk delivers a speech during a rally calling for the protection of judicial independence and the constitution in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on March 3. / Chae Jong-il

The conservative People Power Party held a protest rally at the National Assembly of South Korea on March 3, condemning three judicial reform bills pushed by the ruling Democratic Party of Korea and urging the president to veto the legislation.

Party lawmakers, members and supporters gathered on the steps outside the National Assembly’s main building, chanting slogans such as “Stop destroying the separation of powers” and “President, veto the three judicial destruction bills.”

The rally also served as the launch event for a broader street campaign opposing the legislation.

Participants held red placards reading messages including “Stop destroying the separation of powers immediately,” “Judicial destruction leads to dictatorship,” and “President must veto the three judicial destruction bills.”

PPP leaders call for public support

Floor leader Song Eon-seok criticized the ruling party during his speech, saying the bills threaten the constitutional principle of checks and balances.

“The core foundation of a democratic republic is the separation of powers,” Song said. “The current administration is using the ruling majority in the National Assembly to destroy the judiciary.”

He added that while the party tried to block the legislation in parliament, it lacked sufficient numbers and now needed public support.

“The only power that can stop this is the power of the people,” he said.

Rally ties protest to upcoming local elections

Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk also urged supporters to unite ahead of the upcoming local elections.

“If we want to protect what we value, we must win the local elections,” Jang said, calling on supporters to rally around the cause of defending constitutional democracy.

During the rally, supporters waved South Korean flags and occasionally U.S. flags while chanting slogans. Some participants filmed the event on smartphones or livestreamed it online.

Protest march begins after rally

After the rally, People Power Party lawmakers began a march near Yeouido, calling for the bills to be blocked and for the president to exercise the veto power.

Senior party members, including lawmakers Park Deok-heum and Park Dae-chul, joined the front line of the procession.

Jang said the march would mark the beginning of a broader campaign against the legislation.

Democratic Party criticizes protest

The Democratic Party strongly criticized the conservative party’s street protest.

Party spokesperson Kim Hyun-jung questioned whether the march was intended as a public appeal or a political show aimed at far-right YouTube broadcasters.

“Now is not the time for the People Power Party to leave the National Assembly as if going on a spring outing,” Kim said in a statement.

#People Power Party #judicial reform bills #National Assembly #protest rally #Jang Dong-hyuk