Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged the government and ruling party to accept a special prosecutor investigation on the 50 Billion Club, stating on the 5th that "the demand for a special prosecutor is a result of the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution's inadequate investigation."
On the same day, Park wrote on Facebook, "Regarding the so-called ‘50 Billion Club’ special prosecutor bill proposed by our Democratic Party, Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice, and the ruling People Power Party reacted as expected. They made an unreasonable claim that Lee Jae-myung, the subject of the investigation, would decide the investigating prosecutor, and criticized the promotion of a special prosecutor as an obstruction to the current prosecution’s investigation," adding, "This is truly audacious."
He further argued that the demand for a special prosecutor stems from the prosecution’s inadequate investigation. Park said, "Despite it being a clear bribery case, the lenient investigation and acquittal prosecution of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do, who is a former prosecutor, led to a not guilty verdict by the court, which has fueled public anger. Perhaps feeling the pressure themselves, the Yoon Seok-yeol presidential office, Minister Han Dong-hoon, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, and the People Power Party all unanimously condemned the acquittal verdict and called for supplementary investigations. However, there is still no news of supplementary investigations such as summoning those involved in the 50 Billion Club, including former special prosecutor Park Young-soo, former Prosecutor General Kim Soo-nam, and former head of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office Criminal Investigation Department Choi Jae-kyung, who have close ties with President Yoon Seok-yeol."
He also wrote, "Minister Han Dong-hoon should first show an attitude of reflection and self-restraint before the public," and added, "Before even showing remorse, they opposed the introduction of a special prosecutor demanded overwhelmingly by the public, and now they are engaging in black comedy by criticizing the Democratic Party’s method of recommending special prosecutor candidates. I hope they stop this."
He continued, "It has already been confirmed before the public that the Yoon Seok-yeol prosecution does not touch even a hair of senior prosecution officials. You cannot entrust fish to a cat any longer," and said, "To properly investigate the living power and its collaborators, a separate special prosecutor independent from President Yoon Seok-yeol is necessary."
Park also argued, "Naturally, the ruling party, influenced by the president, should not exercise the right to recommend candidates." He explained, "This is why the ruling party did not recommend candidates during the BBK special prosecutor and the Druking special prosecutor cases. The Democratic Party’s provision in the special prosecutor bill that candidates are recommended by negotiation groups excluding the president is not intended to influence the investigation. It reflects procedural legitimacy considering the reality that the National Assembly operates centered on negotiation groups and the representation of the people."
He said, "The Democratic Party intends only to serve as an official channel for recommending special prosecutor candidates, but in practice, it will consult with opposition parties such as the Justice Party to recommend neutral candidates nominated by the people to ensure a strict investigation," and explained, "Let me be clear, the special prosecutor candidate for the 50 Billion Club will be recommended by our people."
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