[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The Democratic Party of Korea began the procedure to pass the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act on the 4th. Amid the spreading negative public opinion toward the ruling party due to the conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, attention is focused on whether they will again push through the bill unilaterally.
The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held the first subcommittee meeting on bill examination in the morning to review the amendment to the HOCI Act.
The Democratic Party had previously unilaterally reviewed the amendment to the HOCI Act, which contained provisions to nullify the opposition party's 'veto power,' in two prior subcommittee meetings. Specifically, the quorum for the recommendation committee's resolution was lowered from 6 out of 7 members to 5 out of 7, and the periods for nominating committee members and candidates were set. After deferring the resolution in the two meetings, the Democratic Party plans to pass the amendment in the subcommittee this time. It is expected to proceed to the full Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting on the 7th or 8th and then submit it to the plenary session on the 9th.
The party leadership also reaffirmed their intention to launch the HOCI within the year. Lee Nak-yeon, the Democratic Party leader, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "Prosecutorial reform has long been frustrated by resistance, but we can no longer afford to be frustrated. The prosecution cannot be exempt from democratic control," adding, "This time, we will definitely launch the HOCI to institutionalize minimum democratic control over the prosecution."
Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader, said, "The National Intelligence Service Act passed the Intelligence Committee, and the HOCI will definitely be launched. Legislative reforms of power institutions will establish a system of mutual checks and balances among the HOCI, police, and prosecution to prevent abuse of power and complete the foundation," adding, "We will not relax our vigilance until the end and will complete the reform legislation by December 9."
People from the People Power Party's Judiciary Committee are picketing in the hallway of the National Assembly Judiciary Committee on the 4th, opposing the partial amendment bill on the establishment and operation of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
However, doubts remain whether the Democratic Party can overcome the political burden of passing the HOCI Act amendment. There are concerns that if the amendment is again pushed through unilaterally amid the plummeting approval ratings of the president and the party due to the 'Choo-Yoon conflict,' public opinion could worsen further. In fact, a Gallup poll on the day showed President Moon Jae-in's approval rating at 39%, marking the lowest since his inauguration. A Realmeter poll released the previous day also showed that the Democratic Party was overtaken by the People Power Party in party approval ratings.
The strong opposition from the opposition party is also a burden. On the day, People Power Party lawmakers held a picket protest in front of the subcommittee meeting room opposing the amendment to the HOCI Act. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the floor strategy meeting, "The Democratic Party intends to appoint a loyalist at the level of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae as the head of the HOCI and bury power-related corruption cases such as the Ulsan election interference case, the economic feasibility manipulation of the Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1, and the Lime and Optimus financial fraud cases in the HOCI chief's cabinet," adding, "This is an act of constitutional destruction that can never succeed." He also urged the resumption of the candidate recommendation committee for the HOCI chief, saying, "According to the law's intent, the HOCI chief should be selected by consensus with agreement from both ruling and opposition parties, and such procedures should be promptly carried out."
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