PCC Law Fails to Pass Bill Subcommittee Vote... Ruling Party Says "More Discussion Needed"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the 26th, members of the Democratic Party of Korea belonging to the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee held the 1st Subcommittee on Bill Examination to review the amendment bill of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gongsoocheo) Act, but decided to postpone the resolution for a while. They also withheld resolution on the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act and the amendment to the Commercial Act to hear the opposition party's opinions. The People Power Party did not attend the subcommittee meeting again on this day, following the previous day.

Baek Hyeryun, the chairperson of the 1st Subcommittee on Bill Examination and a Democratic Party lawmaker, said in a meeting with reporters immediately after the session, "There were no bills resolved today, including the amendment to the Gongsoocheo Act."

Regarding the amendment to the Gongsoocheo Act, she said, "Almost all reached a consensus at the same level," adding, "Since there are few contentious issues or disagreements, if the draft is finalized, I think it can be resolved."

In particular, Baek explained that the amendment to change the quorum for the recommendation committee for the Gongsoocheo chief candidate from the current '6 out of 7 recommendation committee members' to 'two-thirds of the quorum' received majority support.

When asked why the resolution was not made today, Baek said, "Assemblyman Park Jumin was replaced and has rejoined the subcommittee today," adding, "Therefore, further discussion is necessary."

The Democratic Party also postponed the resolution on the Serious Accident Corporate Punishment Act and the amendment to the Commercial Act, one of the 'Economic 3 Laws (Commercial Act, Fair Trade Act, Financial Group Supervision Act),' to hear the opposition party's opinions. Baek said, "We also discussed the Serious Accident Basic Act, and all lawmakers agreed on the purpose of its enactment," adding, "However, since it is a new law containing a lot of content and a related public hearing is scheduled, we decided to discuss it further after the public hearing."

Regarding the amendment to the Commercial Act, she said, "I thought it would be better to proceed with the resolution after discussing it with opposition lawmakers in the subcommittee, so we did not resolve it."

Regarding the future schedule of the subcommittee, she said, "Due to the public hearing schedule, it seems unlikely that the subcommittee can be held tomorrow," and added, "(Whether to convene the subcommittee) will be further discussed with Kim Doeup, the People Power Party secretary."