Kwon Seong-dong "Democratic Party, What's the Rush... Prosecution Reform Law and Korean-style FBI Should Go Together as a Package"

Prosecutors' Backlash Defense: "If Public Officials Can't Speak Up, It's Not a Country"
Will Block the Prosecutorial Reform Law Through Filibuster and Public Campaigns

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, on the 13th announced a full-scale response including a 'filibuster' against the Democratic Party of Korea's plan to push forward the prosecution reform bill centered on ‘Geomsu Wanbak (complete removal of prosecution investigation rights)’. Kwon argued that the prosecution reform bill should be discussed together with how to create a ‘Korean-style FBI’ and the abolition of prosecution investigation rights.

On the same day, appearing on MBC Radio’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus’, Kwon said, "We cannot help but ask ‘Who is this Geomsu Wanbak law for?’" He criticized, "This bill is intended to grant impunity for corruption cases involving those in power. Ultimately, from the public’s perspective, this is not a beneficial law but a harmful one." Regarding the Democratic Party’s stance on pushing the legislation, he said, "The strongest weapon under current law is the filibuster," and added, "We plan to thoroughly explain the problems, side effects, and the Democratic Party’s intentions behind this bill to the public so that they can help block it."

Kwon reiterated his position on discussing this issue through a special committee or task force. He pointed out, "Whether it’s the Korean-style FBI or the Serious Crime Investigation Agency, it takes time to organize it, fill it with personnel, and for those people to reach the current prosecution investigation capabilities," adding, "Who will respond to crimes during the one or two years of investigation gaps?" He continued, "There needs to be discussion on how to create the Korean-style FBI and what qualifications the investigators should have, and the bill for that and the bill abolishing prosecution investigation rights should go together and be passed together," asking, "What is so urgent?" Kwon emphasized, "It must be done as a package."

Meanwhile, Kwon also defended the prosecution’s organized opposition to the Geomsu Wanbak law as an ‘expression of opinion’. He said, "Aren’t the most knowledgeable people in that field the officials of the relevant departments?" and added, "If political parties and politicians do whatever they want and the public officials who suffer damage from that cannot say anything, then it is not a proper country."