[Summary] Choo-Yoon Submit National Audit Request, Relay Solo Protests... Opposition's 'Full-Scale Offensive'

Increased Pressure on the Ruling Party
Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader: "The National Audit Was First Requested by Representative Lee Nak-yeon"
Ruling Party's First-term Lawmakers Hold 'Relay Solo Protests' in Front of Cheong

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at a virtual members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] The People Power Party is increasing pressure by submitting a request for a parliamentary inspection regarding Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's disciplinary request and suspension of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, as well as holding relay protests. This comes as the ruling party advocates caution regarding the parliamentary inspection of Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon.

On the morning of the 27th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, announced at a floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly that they would submit a request for a parliamentary inspection of Minister Choo.

On the same day, Floor Leader Joo said, "The request for a parliamentary inspection, jointly proposed by 110 lawmakers including 103 from the People Power Party, 3 from the People's Party, and 4 independents, will be submitted today," emphasizing, "This incident is an act of destroying the rule of law in the Republic of Korea caused by Minister Choo's unilateral investigation directives and personnel decisions, so a parliamentary inspection is naturally necessary."

He added, "Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, also made remarks in favor of a parliamentary inspection, which we actively welcome," and "We hope the Democratic Party will promptly consult and respond so that the parliamentary inspection can proceed as soon as possible."

Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the People Power Party's Policy Committee, also emphasized on the same day, "We strongly urge that the parliamentary inspection requested by Leader Lee Nak-yeon be conducted simultaneously with the inspection of Minister Choo."

Kim Seong-won, the Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the People Power Party (center), Jeon Ju-hye (left), and Bae Hyun-jin, the Floor Spokesperson, are submitting a request for a national investigation into the disruption of the rule of law caused by Minister of Justice Choo Mae-ae's order to suspend Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl's duties at the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office on the morning of the 27th. / Photo by Yonhap News

According to the request jointly submitted by the opposition, including the People Power Party, the scope of the parliamentary inspection includes ▲ the suspension order and referral to the disciplinary committee of Prosecutor General Yoon and the procedural legitimacy thereof ▲ the undermining of prosecutorial independence and neutrality by Minister Choo and Prosecutor General Yoon ▲ the Lime and Optimus cases ▲ allegations of abuse of investigative authority and abuse of inspection authority by Minister Choo related to Prosecutor General Yoon's family and close associates.

The opposition's submission of the request came amid the ruling party's cautious stance, emphasizing that "the Ministry of Justice's inspection and the prosecution's investigation should come first."

Earlier, on the 25th, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, instructed the party to consider pushing for a parliamentary inspection into Prosecutor General Yoon's alleged misconduct. Leader Lee stated, "The allegations against Prosecutor General Yoon revealed by the Ministry of Justice are shocking," and emphasized, "The truth must be uncovered and the root causes eradicated."

However, as concerns were raised within the party that "if it goes to a parliamentary inspection, the opposition may politicize the issue," Leader Lee took a step back at the party's Supreme Council meeting on the 27th, saying, "We should observe the Ministry of Justice's inspection and the prosecution's investigation and fulfill the National Assembly's responsibility based on the results."

Regarding this, Floor Leader Joo met with reporters after a party members' meeting on the same day and remarked, "(The parliamentary inspection) was first requested by Leader Lee, so if it is difficult to accept, does that mean Leader Lee is experiencing a lame duck period?" He also criticized, "I wonder if Leader Lee's words carry only that much weight."

Joo, the floor leader, is meeting with first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party, Kim Eun-hye, Bae Jun-young, and Heo Eun-ah, who are holding a relay solo protest in front of the Blue House on the 27th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party visited the Blue House around 11:15 a.m. on the same day, intending to deliver a 'Questionnaire to the President.' When the submission of the questionnaire was delayed, they launched a 'relay one-person protest,' actively intensifying their offensive. Eventually, about seven hours after gathering in front of the Blue House, at around 6:30 p.m., they received the questionnaire through an administrative officer of the Office of Political Affairs.

In a statement released that day, they said, "Is the President of the Republic of Korea functioning right now? As those temporarily entrusted with power, our duty is to restore the country to normal so that the people, who are enduring hellish days, can breathe," emphasizing, "We will fight to the end to block the passage of this regular session's bad laws, including the amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office Act, shortening the fast-track period, abolishing the right to review the system and wording, and keeping the Legislative Research Service's report confidential."