[Summary] Ruling Party Forces Passage of Public Corruption Investigation Office Act Amendment... Opposition Criticizes as "Moonju Republic," "Is Democracy Collapsing?"

Opposition to Start Filibuster Against 'Public Corruption Investigation Office Act' from 9 PM on the 9th
Kim Gi-hyeon Leading Filibuster: "Power in the Republic of Korea Comes from Moonppa"

Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is conducting an unlimited debate (filibuster) on the partial amendment bill (alternative) concerning the establishment and operation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials during the National Assembly plenary session on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties over the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) Act intensify, the opposition party on the 9th launched sharp criticisms toward the ruling party, saying, "The Republic of Korea is Moon (Moon Joo) Republic," and "Is democracy collapsing like this?"

Kim Ki-hyun, a four-term senior member of the People Power Party, began a filibuster (unlimited debate) on the amendment to the HOCI Act at 9 p.m. that day.

Kim, who is involved in the 'Ulsan mayoral election interference suspicion case,' quoted Article 1 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, which states, "The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides in the people, and all state authority emanates from the people," sarcastically saying, "The Republic of Korea is Moonju Republic (Moon Jae-in + Democratic Republic)," and "The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea lies with Moon-nim, and all power comes from 'Moonppa' (a derogatory term for people who blindly support President Moon Jae-in)."

He continued, "With one word from the president, the National Assembly system is completely changed, and illegality and corruption are disguised as legality and justice," emphasizing, "Ignoring laws and principles, they disregard the people with tricks and shortcuts, bypass the opposition party, and carry out legislative rampage."

Kim also pointed out to the Democratic Party lawmakers, "I begin to question whether you are members of the National Assembly representing the people of the Republic of Korea or servants receiving orders from the Blue House," and asked, "Is your status as a ruling party member more important, or your status as a lawmaker?"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader, are holding placards and shouting "Out with the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (공수처) Act" at the emergency party members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Criticism over the passage of the HOCI Act amendment continued on social media. Cho Soo-jin, a People Power Party lawmaker, wrote on her Facebook that "The HOCI is designed to belong to none of the legislative, executive, or judicial branches, which violates our Constitution that stipulates the separation of powers," and pointed out, "Although investigating only specific public officials may seem refreshing at first glance, it contradicts our Constitution."

She added, "It is highly problematic for the HOCI to open without the Constitutional Court resolving the constitutional controversy," criticizing, "If the HOCI begins its activities as a state agency and is later declared unconstitutional, the resulting confusion will be unpredictably large."

Yoon Hee-seok, the party spokesperson of the same party, also joined the chorus of criticism. In a statement that day, he opened by saying, "Is democracy collapsing like this? The regime, relying on its majority seats, is even destroying the principle of separation of powers."

He continued, "As soon as the president's order to 'hope for the launch of the HOCI' was issued, they forcibly passed the HOCI Act in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," and sharply criticized, "The ruling party, which claimed to resist dictatorship, is building the fortress of dictatorship itself. Was the much-boasted 'democratization' medal nothing but a fake?"

He also raised his voice, saying, "The current behavior of the regime is nothing but old-fashioned dust-covered practices," and "No matter what they do, the public sentiment that has turned away will not return because they cannot deceive the wise people."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is pushing to vote on the HOCI Act amendment on the 10th, the start date of the new extraordinary session of the National Assembly, during which the bill will be automatically submitted to the plenary session.

According to the National Assembly Act, a bill that has undergone a filibuster must be put to a vote without delay at the first plenary session of the next session. A bill that has been filibustered once cannot be filibustered again.