Lee Nakyeon: "CIO Act Amendment to Be Reviewed as Scheduled... People Power Party Should Recommend Quickly"

Lee Nakyeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy, reporter Kang Nahum] Lee Nakyeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on September 22 that the party would review the proposed amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act according to proper procedures.

During the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Lee stated, "The CIO has long been a long-cherished wish for the completion of our democracy. This time, we must establish it without fail and take a significant step forward toward completing our democracy," expressing his commitment.

The amendment to the CIO Act, proposed earlier by lawmakers Baek Hyeryeon and Kim Yongmin, includes a provision to grant the authority to appoint members of the CIO chief recommendation committee to the National Assembly or external figures, instead of the opposition negotiating bloc. This move is intended to launch the CIO even if the People Power Party does not cooperate by replacing the recommendation committee members.

However, Lee also indicated a willingness to wait if the People Power Party expresses its intention to make recommendations. Regarding Kim Chongin, chairman of the People Power Party’s Emergency Response Committee, stating that he would recommend members for the CIO chief recommendation committee, Lee said, "I welcome this. I request the recommendations be made as soon as possible."

Kim Taenyeon, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, also said, "I am very pleased to hear from Chairman Kim that the People Power Party is preparing to recommend members to the CIO chief recommendation committee," adding, "If the opposition fails to exercise the rights and obligations stipulated by law and thereby paralyzes the process, the Democratic Party will inevitably have no choice but to amend the CIO Act. I want to make this point clear."

He further pointed out, "According to the law, the CIO should have been launched on July 15, but for two months, the recommendation committee has not even been formed. This is because the People Power Party has refused to make the legally mandated opposition recommendations. Leaving the CIO in a state of legal violation is tantamount to the National Assembly neglecting its duties, and we cannot delay its launch indefinitely."