[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] On the 10th, Jang Hyeyoung, a Justice Party lawmaker who abstained from voting on the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) Act, expressed her conviction, stating, "The amendment to the PCC Act that nullifies the opposition party's veto power undermines the democratic principle that the first law-abiding entity should be the legislature, the National Assembly." Although the Justice Party adopted a party stance in favor of the PCC Act amendment, it appears that Jang abstained, caught between her opposing conviction and the party's supportive stance.
On the same day, Jang said on Facebook, "When the PCC Act was passed in the 20th National Assembly, the opposition party's veto power was regarded as a core guarantee of the PCC's independence and neutrality," adding, "Prosecutorial reform for democracy must be carried out in the most democratic manner."
She emphasized, "It would have been right to cast a dissenting vote to leave the opposition of democrats, distinct from the People Power Party's strategic opposition, in the history of the National Assembly," but added, "However, I voted to abstain to respect the Justice Party's decision and the party stance supporting prosecutorial reform, which expresses a strong will."
She continued, "To not be ashamed of the promise to perform duties according to conscience, I made the painful decision to go against the party stance," and apologized sincerely to the party members who were disappointed.
She also said, "As a party member, I am well aware of the gravity of the party stance," and added, "However, I firmly believe that maintaining the conviction to say 'no' when it is not right according to one's conscience is also a precious value of the Justice Party, a party of democrats."
Besides Jang, Cho Eungcheon of the Democratic Party of Korea also attended the plenary session but did not vote.
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