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Leaders and acting leaders of five opposition parties, including Park Chan-dae, interim leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, attend the "Roundtable for Ending Rebellion and Defending Democratic Constitutional Order for a New Korea" at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on April 15. From left: Basic Income Party leader Yong Hye-in, Rebuilding Korea Party acting leader Kim Sun-min, Democratic Party interim leader Park Chan-dae, Progressive Party acting co-leader Yoon Jong-oh, and Social Democratic Party leader Han Chang-min. / Source: Yonhap News

Five progressive parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, issued a joint declaration on April 15 pledging to unite against the return to power of what they called “insurrectionist forces.” The declaration also called for reforms including a run-off voting system and looser requirements for negotiating party status in the National Assembly.

Democratic Party interim leader and floor leader Park Chan-dae, Kim Sun-min, acting leader of The Rebuilding Korea Party, and Yoon Jong-oh, acting representative of the Progressive Party, gathered at the National Assembly in the afternoon for the “Roundtable for Ending Rebellion and Defending Democratic Constitutional Order for a New Korea,” where they jointly announced the declaration.

The declaration outlined several key proposals, including the launch of a special counsel investigation into the insurrection, the establishment of a special committee to probe unconstitutional acts, and reforms such as easing the threshold for forming a parliamentary negotiating group and introducing a run-off voting system. It also called for the promotion of presidential pledges focused on sweeping social reform, the strengthening of fundamental rights, and enhanced local autonomy, alongside comprehensive reform of key power institutions.

In his opening remarks, Park said, “Since the December 3 insurrection, which shattered constitutional order and trampled democracy, we have joined forces with the people to set things right. After four months, we succeeded in removing insurrection ringleader Yoon Suk-yeol from office. But the insurrection is not over. Its remnants are still active in many corners of society.”

Park added, “The crimes of Yoon and his accomplices are not mere policy failures. They are grave violations that destroyed the Constitution, democracy, and the sovereignty of the people. The truth must be fully uncovered, and full accountability must follow if this nation is to stand upright again.”

He emphasized that the roundtable marked “a firm declaration to end the insurrection and restore constitutional rule,” and a commitment to ensure that “dictatorship will never again take root in this country.”

Kim Sun-min echoed the sentiment, warning that “the insurrection is not over” and likening it to “an unextinguished spark that could reignite.” He pledged to work toward electing “a president for all people” through an overwhelming transfer of power within the progressive camp.