[Summary] "People Power Party Go Away" Jo Eung-cheon Absent from Corruption Investigation Office Vote... Is Geum Tae-seop Following the Same Path?

Democratic Party Lawmaker Jo Eung-cheon Absent from Public Corruption Investigation Office Vote
Lawmaker Jo Did Not Cast Vote for 'For', 'Against', or 'Abstain'
Usually Holds Negative View on Revising Public Corruption Investigation Office Act

Cho Eung-cheon, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The ruling party passed the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office Act (HCIO Act) on the 10th, which contains provisions to effectively nullify the opposition party's veto power, despite criticism of 'legislative dictatorship' and 'legislative rampage.' However, there was effectively a dissenting vote within the ruling party, drawing attention to the Democratic Party of Korea's response. The person who expressed opposition to the HCIO Act amendment is Assemblyman Cho Eung-cheon.

Previously, former Assemblyman Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party, was referred to the disciplinary committee and faced demands for resignation from Democratic Party supporters for abstaining from voting on the HCIO establishment bill in December last year, going against the party line. As a result, there is speculation that Assemblyman Cho might also face disciplinary action. Democratic Party supporters have already been criticizing Assemblyman Cho, urging him to leave the party and join the People Power Party.

On the 10th, Assemblyman Cho effectively abstained from voting on the HCIO Act and, while leaving the National Assembly plenary session, shared his views with reporters. He emphasized, "This is consistent with my previous stance," adding, "I opposed the mixed-member proportional representation system last year. My position remains the same."

Earlier, in a post on his Facebook last month, Assemblyman Cho expressed concerns, stating, "The HCIO could take over cases under investigation by the prosecution and police and exercise prosecution rights, raising various concerns."

He continued, "We said that there was a safeguard in the form of the opposition party's veto power, so there was no need to worry excessively. But now, they are trying to amend the law to nullify that veto power," he pointed out.

The HCIO Act, which was put to a vote in the plenary session that day, passed with 187 votes in favor, 99 against, 1 abstention, and 287 members present. Assemblyman Cho did not choose any of the options: for, against, or abstain.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is attending the party Ethics Committee rehearing held at the Yeouido party headquarters on the afternoon of September 29. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Upon learning this, Democratic Party supporters continued to criticize him with remarks implying "as expected from a former prosecutor."

According to the National Assembly Act, members of the National Assembly can vote freely according to their conscience without following their party's stance, but due to his background as a prosecutor and opposition to the HCIO Act, there are intense criticisms demanding his resignation from the party.

A Democratic Party supporter in their 40s said, "Some say there is no problem because this bill was not a party line, but Assemblyman Cho has consistently expressed opposition to the HCIO," pointing out. They added, "A member who opposes the major initiatives of the party cannot stay. He should leave and find a party that matches his beliefs."

Another supporter in their 30s raised their voice, saying, "This is not a matter of conscience but an act that harms the party," and called for disciplinary action following the same procedure as Geum Tae-seop.

The Democratic Party leadership has not made any particular remarks regarding Assemblyman Cho's absence from the vote. Floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon briefly responded to reporters after the plenary session, saying, "I didn't know (about Cho's absence)."

Some speculate that since this was not a party-line vote, Assemblyman Cho's absence from the vote will pass without disciplinary issues. In fact, because the HCIO Act amendment was not a party-line vote, there is no basis for the party to take issue, and the law guarantees the respect of members' free will and rights.

The amendment to the "High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (공수처) Act," which nullifies the opposition party's veto power, was passed in the National Assembly plenary session on the 10th with 187 votes in favor, 99 against, and 1 abstention, while the People Power Party members stood holding placards in protest.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party expressed a welcoming stance upon the passage of the HCIO Act amendment. Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon said, "It has been 24 years since the HCIO was brought to public attention by civil society demands," adding, "I thank all the citizens who supported the implementation of this long-standing and difficult task." Regarding the future role of the HCIO, he stated, "Once the HCIO is operational, illegal privileges and unreasonable practices among the powerful will disappear, and the public service community will become cleaner. Since the legislation has been enacted, we will support the swift progress of the HCIO chief candidate recommendation and appointment procedures."

Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young said in a statement, "We have passed the 80% mark of prosecutorial reform but will not hesitate and will accelerate reform of power institutions." He added, "Since an opportunity has been created for the HCIO to be reborn as a democratic institution under the surveillance and control of the people, we hope it will leave behind the past of wielding unchecked power and be reborn as a transparent and democratic people's prosecution."