After Morning Party Meeting, Meeting with Joo Ho-young
"Must Follow Procedure Through Legislation and Judiciary Committee" Stance Maintained
Park Hong-geun "What Does This Mean?"
The Justice Party has effectively rejected the 'dual special prosecution' mediation proposal put forward by the Democratic Party of Korea. The Justice Party urged the People Power Party to submit the bills to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in accordance with National Assembly procedures, while the Democratic Party responded by saying, "We cannot accept the delay in processing bills that were proposed by themselves."
On the morning of the 29th, the Justice Party leadership held a closed-door party meeting to discuss the approach to advancing the Daejang-dong 5 Billion Club and Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bills, and decided to request the submission of the two special prosecution bills to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
The previous day, Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, announced at the party's floor strategy meeting that "On the 30th, at the plenary session, we officially propose to the Justice Party and other opposition lawmakers to designate the 5 Billion Club special prosecution bill, which the Justice Party proposed in February, and the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bill, which the Democratic Party proposed on the 9th, as fast-track bills." The Justice Party did not accept this mediation proposal.
The Democratic Party demanded that the two special prosecution bills be passed as fast-track bills at the plenary session on the 30th and called for the Justice Party's participation. However, the Justice Party maintained the position that the fast-track process should be discussed only after going through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee procedures.
On the 29th, Lee Eun-ju, the floor leader of the Justice Party, along with party members, visited the floor leader's office of the People Power Party at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, to demand the processing of the so-called "Double Special Prosecutor" (Special Prosecutor for the 5 Billion Club and Special Prosecutor for Mrs. Kim Keon-hee) and the revision of Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act, known as the Yellow Envelope Act. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the same morning, after the party meeting, Justice Party floor leader Lee Eun-ju and lawmakers Kang Eun-mi and Ryu Ho-jeong visited People Power Party floor leader Joo Ho-young to request the submission of the 5 Billion Club special prosecution bill to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. It was reported that the Kim Geon-hee special prosecution bill was not discussed that day because the required deliberation period for agenda submission had not been met.
At the meeting, Floor Leader Joo explained regarding the 5 Billion Club special prosecution, "A special prosecution is a last resort used when investigations are insufficient or when unresolved suspicions remain even after investigations have concluded. As far as I know, the investigation is still ongoing," and added, "I was concerned about the issue that if a special prosecution is initiated during an ongoing investigation, the investigation might be halted."
He continued, "Whether to submit the bill is the authority of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. While I am looking into the situation and expressing my opinions, it is true that I cannot force the decision," and said, "Regarding the 5 Billion Club special prosecution, I will once again convey my thoughts to the committee's floor leader and chairperson and make efforts to have it submitted and deliberated."
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
After the visit, Floor Leader Lee said in a back briefing, "It is like entrusting a fish shop to a cat for the two major negotiating parties involved in the 5 Billion Club to recommend the special prosecution," and explained, "I came here to firmly clarify how to handle this issue after seeing that the bill was not submitted to the full Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting on the 27th." She added, "I received a response from Floor Leader Joo that he would make efforts to have it submitted to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," and said, "I believe the first step has been taken for the bill to be deliberated according to National Assembly procedures."
It was reported that Floor Leader Joo held a closed meeting with members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee that day, but no decision had yet been made regarding the convening of the plenary session or the submission of the bills.
On the same day, Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, told reporters at the National Assembly, "Regarding the special prosecution bills, since the authority to submit and review lies with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, I will tell our party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairperson and floor leader to actively make efforts. (As for People Power Party Floor Leader Joo Ho-young) what does this mean?" and criticized, "Isn't this just a very formal political rhetoric that only lists investigations?"
He continued, "Is the Justice Party once again going to just watch the changes in stance and attitude of the People Power Party and the prosecution like a stone statue?" and said, "Therefore, I cannot accept that they intend to wait until this investigation forever falls into the abyss of history and is covered up."
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