People Power Party Judiciary Committee Member: "Democratic Party's 'Complete Prosecution Reform' Claim Is Election Refusal and a Shield Law for Lee Jae-myung's Corruption"

Yoo Sang-beom and Jeon Ju-hye, members of the People Power Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, hold a press conference on the 11th at the National Assembly Communication Office regarding the "Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights" (Geomsu Wanbak) being promoted by the Democratic Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee from the People Power Party strongly opposed the Democratic Party's push for ‘Geomsu Wanbak’ (complete removal of prosecution's investigative powers), using expressions such as ‘refusal to accept the presidential election results’ and ‘Lee Jae-myung corruption shield law’.

On the 11th, the People Power Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee members issued a statement demanding, "Immediately stop the ‘Geomsu Wanbak’ solely for the Democratic Party and the ‘Lee Jae-myung corruption shield law’ that commits a grave sin against the nation and its people."

They stated, "It has been only a month since the Democratic Party was judged by the people due to arrogance and dogmatism, yet they are threatening to pass the so-called ‘Geomsu Wanbak’ bill, which completely strips the prosecution's investigative powers, during the April National Assembly session so that the new president cannot exercise a veto." They added, "This is effectively a refusal to accept the presidential election results and a clear ‘declaration of war against the people’."

The People Power Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee members said, "The ‘Geomsu Wanbak’ advocated by the Democratic Party is the ‘Lee Jae-myung corruption shield law’," explaining, "It aims to block various investigations into power-related corruption that were halted due to pressure from those in power, and to prevent investigations into corruption involving former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and his spouse Kim Hye-kyung revealed during the election period, thereby granting impunity for the massive power-related crimes committed so far."

They added, "It has only been a year since major changes to the criminal justice system, such as the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecution and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, were made after long debates and conflicts," and warned, "If the system is unilaterally reorganized without sufficient discussion between the ruling and opposition parties, national consensus, or expert debate, to block investigations into those in power, it would be committing an unforgivable grave sin against the nation and its people."