Differences with the Democratic Party over 'Investigation Scope'
To People Power Party: "The One Hiding Is the Culprit"
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Justice Party has submitted a bill to the National Assembly to promote a special prosecutor investigation into the Daejang-dong '50 Billion Club'.
On the 20th, Justice Party lawmaker Kang Eun-mi stated at a press conference at the National Assembly, "Today, we are proposing the 50 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act," and urged the two major negotiating parties to make a decision to uncover the truth about the 50 Billion Club, which involves the legal profession, media, and political circles. Eleven lawmakers, including Kim Jong-min of the Democratic Party of Korea, joined in proposing the bill.
Earlier, the Justice Party disclosed the draft of the bill on the 14th and declared its intention to propose it. Subsequently, the number of sponsors exceeded the required 10, allowing the bill to be submitted to the National Assembly's legislative affairs office.
Lawmaker Kang said, "It has already been a year since the prosecution indicted former People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do regarding the 50 Billion Club, which has enraged the entire nation and involves the legal profession, media, and political circles," adding, "Various circumstantial evidence, recordings, and allegations of trial deals related to the 50 Billion Club have been revealed, but only former lawmaker Kwak is currently on trial, and the prosecution's investigation into the 50 Billion Club has practically not even begun."
She then targeted the Democratic Party, saying, "While linking it to the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor investigation, they are showing a negative response to the Justice Party's proposal for a special prosecutor," and urged, "Stop talking about the scope of the investigation or linking it to the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor and clearly state your position on processing the 50 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act."
She also addressed the People Power Party, saying, "Stop your silence," and pointed out, "Those who hide are the culprits. If the People Power Party continues to remain silent about the 50 Billion Club and opposes the special prosecutor, it is an admission that the People Power Party is the core of the 50 Billion Club, which involves the political circles, judiciary, and media."
The Democratic Party also proposed a special prosecutor bill as a party stance last March but has shown differences with the Justice Party regarding the scope of the investigation. While the Justice Party insists on promoting a special prosecutor investigation limited to those involved in the '50 Billion Club,' the Democratic Party remains lukewarm about cooperation. However, on this day, Democratic Party chief spokesperson Ahn Ho-young left open the possibility, saying, "Perhaps the Kim Gun-hee special prosecutor and the 50 Billion Club special prosecutor will be discussed at tomorrow's party meeting."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
