Park Hong-geun "Consensus with Justice Party on Special Prosecutor, but Differences Not Narrowed"
"Pursuing 5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Beginning and End of Daejang-dong Flow"
The Democratic Party of Korea will propose the ‘Daejang-dong 5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act’ on the 3rd. The Democratic Party, which pushed for the 'double special prosecutor,' also announced plans to promptly submit a special prosecutor bill concerning First Lady Kim Keon-hee.
Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The Democratic Party will propose the ‘5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act’ today." Park added, "Although we reached a consensus with the Justice Party on the main purpose, it is regrettable that we could not narrow some differences and thus could not co-propose the bill. However, we will continue consultations with the Justice Party and do our best to ensure that the ‘5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act,’ which investigates the flow of money in the Daejang-dong project from start to finish, is passed in the plenary session."
He said, "During the trial concerning the 5 billion won retirement bribe allegation against former People Power Party lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, even the voice recording of ‘asking for money’ was fully disclosed, but the court, based on its usual judgment, unusually ruled it was not a bribe," adding, "The Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution only filed an appeal but has done nothing else. Since the ruling party is not making efforts to overcome the clear crime committed by its own lawmaker, we will firmly push through the 5 billion won special prosecutor act in accordance with the will of the Democratic Party and the people who do not trust fairness and common sense."
The Democratic Party is considering bypassing the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and directly submitting the special prosecutor bill to the plenary session using the National Assembly’s ‘fast-track system.’ This requires three-fifths of the total members, but the Democratic Party and pro-Democratic independent lawmakers alone are insufficient. Therefore, solidarity with the six seats of the Justice Party is crucial.
The Democratic Party plans to first push the 5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act and then proceed with a special prosecutor investigation concerning First Lady Kim, the spouse of President Yoon Seok-yeol.
Park, the floor leader, said, "Yesterday, the prosecution dismissed all suspicions of large corporations’ sponsorship of Kobana Contents, operated by First Lady Kim Keon-hee," adding, "The argument to postpone the special prosecutor investigation of First Lady Kim until after the prosecution’s investigation is no longer persuasive." He continued, "The prosecution, which dismissed the sponsorship allegations against Kobana Contents, is unlikely to properly investigate the Deutsche Motors stock manipulation allegations," and said, "Following the proposal of the ‘5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Act,’ the Democratic Party will promptly proceed with the ‘Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Act’ according to procedures."
Regarding the Justice Party’s cautious stance on the special prosecutor for First Lady Kim, Park said, "I don’t know if the Justice Party still has any expectations for the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution’s investigation," and added, "It is time to unite our strength in accordance with the will of the people. We request active cooperation."
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