Park Hong-geun: "Ministry of Justice's Enforcement Decree Push is Autocracy Denying the Legislature"

Delay in Processing Due to Cancellation of Cabinet Meeting on the 6th
Opposition Party Protests Amid Forced Push Despite Objections

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated regarding the controversy over the Ministry of Justice's enforcement decree amendment, "Forcing an illegal enforcement decree is arrogance that fights against the sovereign people and a dogmatism that denies the legislative body, the National Assembly."

At the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th, Floor Leader Park explained, "Although the Cabinet meeting was canceled due to an unprecedented typhoon, the Yoon administration's attempt to privatize power was not canceled. The Ministry of Justice plans to approve the illegal enforcement decree amendment as soon as the Cabinet meeting is held," adding, "We delivered opinion letters from 175 lawmakers during the legislative notice period. Civic groups such as the National Police Agency and People's Solidarity also presented opposing opinions."

He continued, "Poll results show that the majority of the public opposes it, but the Ministry of Justice did not go through any opinion-gathering procedures," and criticized, "They ignored the public and the National Assembly, thoroughly dismissing opposing opinions without any communication."

Floor Leader Park said, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration has undermined the foundation of the rule of law with unconstitutional and illegal enforcement decrees," and added, "The president, a former prosecutor general, and Han Dong-hoon, the Minister of Justice and a legal technician, understand the legislative intent better than anyone. This is because the amendment completely denies the agreed reform to minimize the side effects of prosecutors' excessive direct investigations and to separate investigation and prosecution."

He further emphasized, "Especially, the more powerful the authority, the stricter and fairer the standards must be applied. The behavior shown by investigative agencies surrounding Mrs. Kim Geon-hee is stalling and leniency," and stated, "The Democratic Party will promote a special prosecutor system to resolve public suspicions related to Mrs. Kim's stock manipulation and false career, and prepare to promptly propose the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act."

The Ministry of Justice's amendment to the "Regulations on the Scope of Crimes for Prosecutors' Investigation Initiation (Presidential Decree)," which was legislatively notified in response to the 'Complete Removal of Prosecutors' Investigation Rights (Geomsu Wanbak)' bill, was scheduled to be submitted to the Cabinet meeting on the 6th after approval at the vice-ministerial meeting on the 1st. However, the Cabinet meeting, which was supposed to be held at 10 a.m. that day, was postponed due to Typhoon Hinnamnor.