[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The 'Special Prosecutor Law for the Sewol Ferry Truth Investigation' has passed the National Assembly plenary session. The 'Sewol Special Prosecutor' will investigate the allegations of video evidence manipulation related to the Sewol Ferry disaster for 80 days from the date of appointment and will file charges accordingly.
The 'Proposal for the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Allegations of Manipulation and Editing of Evidence Related to the April 16 Sewol Ferry Disaster' passed the National Assembly plenary session on the afternoon of the 10th. Of the 272 members present, 189 voted in favor, 80 opposed, and 3 abstained.
Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Young-in stated in favor before the plenary session agenda was processed, "There are 64 CCTVs inside the Sewol Ferry where the April 16 disaster occurred," adding, "In the underwater footage filmed by the Navy, the locking mechanism was altered, and the submitted footage was re-recorded rather than the original file, raising questions about who manipulated the video, yet these are submitted as evidence."
He continued, "Even in the restored hard disk of the CCTV DVR reportedly recovered from the Sewol Ferry, traces of manipulation were still found," emphasizing, "We cannot leave the unforgettable social disaster of April 16 Sewol Ferry accident unresolved with manipulated evidence without revealing the truth properly."
Democratic Party lawmaker Park Joo-min also stressed, "This device captured the children's last moments and is the most important clue to uncovering the truth, yet it contains absurd data. This must be clarified."
The People Power Party opposed the passage of the special prosecutor law without bipartisan agreement. People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Ju-hye criticized in opposition debate, "The Democratic Party unilaterally notified the agenda without agreement between the party floor leaders, and the bill passed in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session without any debate while the People Power Party was absent. Has there ever been a special prosecutor launched without bipartisan agreement?"
Meanwhile, according to the special prosecutor law, the 'Sewol Special Prosecutor' must secure necessary facilities and prepare for duty within 20 days from the date of appointment. From the day after the preparation period expires, the investigation of the assigned case must be completed and a decision on prosecution must be made within 60 days. If the investigation cannot be completed within this period, the investigation period may be extended once for up to 30 days with presidential approval.
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