Is a Dual Special Investigation on 'Kkodeugim' Gaining Momentum... Why Does the Justice Party Demand a Special Investigation on Kim Gun-hee?

Democratic Party: "Changed from passive to active attitude"
Justice Party: "No change in stance... Prosecutor's investigation insufficient, proceeding as planned"
SiDaeJeonHwan's Jo Jeong-hoon: "Democratic Party pulls in 'powerless neighbor' (Justice Party)"

As the so-called 'double special prosecution' led by the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party is expected to gain momentum in the March extraordinary session of the National Assembly, attention is focused on the background behind the Justice Party's change of stance. Until now, the Justice Party shared the same position as the Democratic Party regarding the push for a special prosecution into the 5 billion won club, but showed a reserved stance on the special prosecution into Kim Geon-hee's alleged stock manipulation of Deutsche Motors, stating that they would wait for the prosecution's investigation. After a meeting among the floor leaders of each party on the 6th regarding the 5 billion won club special prosecution, the Justice Party proceeded to propose the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecution Act,' but each party has offered different interpretations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, when the vote on the arrest warrant for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is scheduled, Democratic Party lawmakers are holding an overnight sit-in at the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, demanding a special prosecutor for First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

"Could No Longer Delay" Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecution, Moving to Active Response

On the 8th, Jin Seong-jun, the Democratic Party's senior deputy floor leader, said on KBS Radio that the reason the Justice Party shifted direction on the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bill was, "Originally, the Justice Party was not opposed to the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution," and added, "After confirming (the prosecution's willingness to investigate) during the protest visit to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office on the 6th, they realized 'we can no longer delay the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution,' and thus announced their intention to push for it." This is interpreted as the Justice Party moving from 'passive support' to 'active support,' rather than a complete change of stance.

The Justice Party had maintained a position of "deciding after seeing the prosecution's investigation results" regarding Kim Geon-hee's special prosecution. This contrasted with the Democratic Party, which advocated for a double special prosecution including both the Daejang-dong 5 billion won club and Kim Geon-hee's cases. However, after announcing the direct proposal of the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bill the day before, some interpreted this as a change in the Justice Party's stance.

In response, Deputy Floor Leader Jin said, "When the passive stance of 'waiting to see the prosecution's investigation status' was taken, even Justice Party members could not understand the leadership's decision, and according to media reports, there was a rush of resignations, which seemed to burden the Justice Party leadership." He continued, "Ultimately, they went to protest at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to check whether the prosecution had the will to conduct a thorough, independent, and objective investigation into Kim Geon-hee, but upon visiting, they found there was no will to investigate at all," highlighting the Justice Party's subsequent announcement of their position.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Justice Party itself clarified that it did not change its stance on the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution, but rather had the same position from the start and was simply initiating full-scale action.

Justice Party: "We Did Not Change Our Position... Will Bring to National Assembly if Investigation is Inadequate" Just Responding According to Principles

On the same day, Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi responded to a question on CBS Radio asking if there was a reason for the Justice Party's change of stance from disagreeing to agreeing with the Democratic Party's double special prosecution demand, saying, "The Justice Party's position has not changed."

Leader Lee explained, "After the trial of former Deutsche Motors chairman Kwon Oh-soo on February 12, we immediately urged the prosecution to investigate, and until February, we said we would watch the investigation."

She added, "The day before yesterday, all six Justice Party lawmakers visited the Supreme Prosecutors' Office to check on the progress of the prosecution's investigation we had urged, and as a result, the Supreme Prosecutors' Office had no investigation plan or will," and continued, "As we had said, if the prosecution's investigation does not proceed properly, the National Assembly must handle this issue with its authority, so we said it should be brought to a special prosecution."

She emphasized, "Things are proceeding according to our plan."

Eunju Lee, Floor Leader of the Justice Party, is speaking at the Executive Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 2nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

This is interpreted to mean that the proposal of the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bill was carried out based on the Justice Party's original principle of 'handling it in the National Assembly if the prosecution's investigation is inadequate.'

Despite this explanation, some still view the Justice Party as having initially voiced its own opinion distinct from the Democratic Party on the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution, only to later change its stance.

"Fell for the Democratic Party's Sweet Talk"

On the same day, Cho Jeong-hoon, leader of the Transition Korea party, criticized both parties, posting a message suggesting that the Justice Party fell for the Democratic Party's 'enticement.'

Cho posted on his Facebook a message titled "Stop Enticing Neighboring Parties," saying, "I don't know what kind of candy they were promised, but if you eat that candy, it will rot," expressing his criticism.

He said, "The Justice Party's visit to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office followed by the special prosecution bill proposal?this is a familiar scene," and added, "It's exactly the Democratic Party's way. Where has the Justice Party that once shouted for the presidential and local elections and people's livelihood gone? Only the Justice Party for political strife remains."

He further stated, "I previously told Justice Party leader Lee Jeong-mi that Lee Jae-myung's legal risks could sink the entire progressive camp. I hope the Justice Party does not fall for sweet talk and returns to the realm of people's livelihood."

Regarding the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bill, he harshly criticized it as a 'copycat special prosecution bill.' He pointed out, "Political clarity does not come from pushing a 'copycat special prosecution bill,' but from gritting one's teeth and protecting livelihood politics for the silent majority of citizens living tough daily lives."

He also criticized the Democratic Party, saying, "Since the presidential election, the public is frustrated with the factional politics that focus only on demands for special prosecution, dismissal, and impeachment, and solely on shielding leader Lee Jae-myung," and added, "Moreover, I don't understand why they drag in innocent and powerless neighboring parties, only to sow seeds of division."

He emphasized, "Doing bad things together with powerless neighbors does not make it good," and urged, "Let's stop just shouting about people's livelihood and do politics for the people."