Kwon Seong-dong "Investigation obstruction intent against Moon Jae-in regime key figures, refusal to accept election defeat"
Park Hong-geun "Spirit of the times for improving people's basic rights"
Democratic Party to push party resolution at meeting on 12th
People Power Party Judiciary Committee members issue statement criticizing 'Lee Jae-myung corruption shield law'
[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Despite strong opposition from the prosecution and the People Power Party, the Democratic Party of Korea has once again expressed its determination to complete the 'Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights (Geomsu Wanbak),' setting the stage for a direct confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties in the April National Assembly session.
On the 11th, Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at the morning emergency committee meeting, "The Democratic Party has focused on gathering internal opinions regarding the 'separation of prosecutorial investigation rights' so far," adding, "Most agree on the fundamental principle of separating prosecutorial investigation rights, and a considerable consensus has been reached on follow-up measures. If a conclusion is reached at tomorrow's (12th) policy general meeting, we will trust the people and history and will not waver."
The Democratic Party is emphasizing that it will hold a party meeting before the new government takes office and ensure the passage of legislation related to the removal of prosecutorial investigation rights.
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Measures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th, checking documents with a serious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
In response to the Democratic Party's forceful push to pass the Geomsu Wanbak bill, the prosecution held a nationwide prosecutors' meeting chaired by Prosecutor General Kim Oh-soo that morning to express opposition. However, the Democratic Party is showing a firm stance of not backing down, escalating the conflict surrounding Geomsu Wanbak.
At the meeting, Prosecutor General Kim declared in his opening remarks that he would stake his position to block the Democratic Party's Geomsu Wanbak bill.
Kim said, "If the prosecutorial investigation function is abolished, there is no longer any meaning for me, as Prosecutor General, to perform my duties," adding, "I will not cling to my position. I will not shy away from any responsibility," signaling a strong move.
The People Power Party also strongly criticized the Democratic Party's determination to push forward with Geomsu Wanbak, calling it a 'refusal to accept the presidential election results.'
Kwon Seong-dong, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
On the same day, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, pointed out at the morning Supreme Council meeting, "It is truly worrisome whose interests the complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights serves."
Kwon said, "I believe the intention behind this is to obstruct investigations into key figures of the Moon Jae-in administration," adding, "It also contains a refusal to accept the presidential election results." He continued, "During the prosecutorial reform, the Democratic Party framed it as a 'prosecutor republic,' claiming that if Yoon Seok-youl, a former Prosecutor General, were to take power, he would use the prosecution to create a prosecutor republic. I believe they are pushing Geomsu Wanbak through this frame war," and emphasized, "The Democratic Party should deeply reconsider what benefits the people and what systems are necessary for running the country, and engage in sufficient discussions with our party."
Members of the People Power Party belonging to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee also issued a statement that day, criticizing, "The 'Geomsu Wanbak' advocated by the Democratic Party is the 'Lee Jae-myung Corruption Shield Law.'"
They said, "The Democratic Party is threatening to pass the so-called 'Geomsu Wanbak' bill, which completely strips the prosecution's investigation rights, during the April National Assembly session so that the new president cannot exercise a veto," adding, "This is effectively a refusal to accept the presidential election results and a clear declaration of war against public sentiment." They further stated, "It aims to block various investigations into power-related corruption that were halted due to pressure from authorities and to prevent investigations into corruption involving former presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung and his spouse Kim Hye-kyung, which surfaced during the election period, thereby granting impunity to massive power-related crimes," and demanded, "Immediately stop the 'Lee Jae-myung Corruption Shield Law.'"
Meanwhile, attention is focused on whether the Democratic Party will consolidate the opinion to pass the Geomsu Wanbak-related bill within April at tomorrow's party meeting. On the same day, Representative Kim Yong-min said on MBC Radio, "There is not a single member who opposes the separation of investigation and prosecution," and added, "I believe it should be passed within the April National Assembly session."
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