Ahn Cheol-soo: "The Blue House, How Insecure Must They Be to Search the Owner's Body in Someone Else's House"

"President Moon Must Withdraw Directive to Amend the Corruption Investigation Office Act"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, criticized Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, on the 29th for being body-searched by Blue House security guards while trying to have a conversation with President Moon Jae-in at the National Assembly, saying, “Even if you concede a hundred times, this case is like a guest searching the host’s body when coming to someone else’s house,” and added, “It is neither respect for the National Assembly nor courtesy to the opposition party.”

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Ahn said, “Excessive security is not a symbol of strong power but rather evidence of weak legitimacy,” and “If the opposition floor leader’s body must be searched, it shows how little confidence the Moon administration has in itself.”

Regarding President Moon Jae-in’s policy speech, Ahn pointed out, “Throughout the 40-minute speech, there was only talk about where to spend the 550 trillion won, but not a single word about saving taxes or reducing the burden on the people,” and added, “Even though the president is someone who receives a salary from the people’s taxes, there was no minimum consideration for the people as sovereign taxpayers.”

Ahn expressed concern about the real estate issue, which is said to be facing its twenty-fourth measure, saying, “Two years ago, President Moon said in a dialogue with the people, ‘I will definitely control housing prices, I am confident.’ However, housing prices in the metropolitan area as well as jeonse (long-term deposit lease) prices have already skyrocketed.” He continued, “Those without a home have given up their dream of owning a house with tears, and those who own one are trembling in fear of the impending nuclear bomb-level tax bomb. Yet, the president arrogantly promised to ‘definitely control jeonse prices’ without a proper apology for the failure of real estate policies.”

Ahn said, “Whether in politics or economics, when those in power try to grasp everything with reckless moves, trouble is bound to happen. Yet the president is trying to make another reckless move. He publicly issued a directive yesterday at the National Assembly to forcibly amend the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act,” and sharply criticized, “It is yet another scheme to turn the ruling party into a Blue House branch office and make the National Assembly a rubber stamp.”

Ahn stated, “The opposition has already recommended two members of the nomination committee, so on what logic and grounds does the president intend to forcibly amend the CIO Act? Ignoring the opposition’s veto power and forcibly amending the CIO Act is a serious challenge to justice and democracy and is political violence itself. It is absolutely unacceptable.”

Ahn said, “Looking at the current situation where the Minister of Justice, whom the majority of the people want to step down, intimidates the Prosecutor General and recklessly exercises investigative and inspection authority, it is obvious that the CIO, created according to the tastes of the Blue House and the ruling party, will become a hunting dog of power and a private army of the regime,” and added, “There is zero possibility that any case shadowed by the ruling party and power elites will be properly investigated and punished.”

Ahn urged, “President Moon should immediately withdraw the ‘de facto’ directive to amend the CIO Act. If he truly wants reform, the correct stance is to fix the flawed investigative authority adjustment between the police and prosecution first and then say, ‘Please handle the CIO through smooth agreement between the ruling and opposition parties,’” and added, “Instead of reckless legislative dictatorship, immediately accept a special prosecution on the Lime and Optimus cases, which have caused nationwide anger and made countless investors shed tears of blood.”