[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the Democratic Party of Korea moves to amend the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act citing the People Power Party's non-cooperation, the People Power Party has also changed its stance, stating that it "can appoint candidate recommendation committee members."
A People Power Party official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, "Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman, will receive reports from the floor leader regarding the (HCIO chief candidate recommendation committee members)," adding that they will soon be able to appoint recommendation committee members.
Earlier, Chairman Kim had also made remarks in a media interview indicating that "recommendation committee members will be appointed soon."
Until now, the People Power Party had delayed appointing HCIO chief candidate recommendation committee members by questioning the constitutionality of the law. Their decision to actively participate in candidate recommendations appears to be a response to the Democratic Party recently submitting a bill to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee that replaces the opposition party's recommendation committee members with appointments made by the National Assembly.
If the Democratic Party pushes through the bill using its numerical majority, the People Power Party would have no choice but to accept it passively. Therefore, they intend to appoint HCIO chief candidate recommendation committee members to neutralize the amendment.
By expressing their intention to appoint recommendation committee members, the People Power Party aims to undermine the ruling party's justification for the legal amendment, while continuing the "strategic battle" by pointing out the unconstitutionality of the HCIO Act and raising issues such as the Blue House special inspector position, which has been vacant for four years.
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