Justice Party urges ruling party for '5 Billion Club' special investigation law... Judiciary Committee to table on 30th (Comprehensive)

Democratic Party Rejects Dual Special Prosecutor Mediation Proposal by Justice Party
Joo Ho-young Visits to Demand 'Judiciary Committee Submission'
Passage Through Judiciary Committee Remains Uncertain

The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee will hold a plenary session on the 30th to submit the 'Daejang-dong 5 Billion Won Club' special prosecutor bill. As the Justice Party effectively rejected the Democratic Party of Korea's proposed 'dual special prosecutor' compromise, it is expected that the bill will be processed according to the procedures stipulated in the National Assembly Act instead of the fast-track (rapid processing agenda) system.

On the morning of the 29th, immediately after 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 demand the submission of the 5 Billion Won Club special prosecutor bill to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the committee made this decision.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Justice Party leadership held a closed party meeting that morning to discuss the approach to promoting the Daejang-dong 5 Billion Won Club and Kim Kun-hee special prosecutor bills, and decided to request the submission of both special prosecutor bills to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The day before, Democratic Party floor leader Park Hong-geun, at the party's floor strategy meeting, announced a compromise proposal stating, "On the 30th plenary session, designate the 5 Billion Won Club special prosecutor bill, which the Justice Party proposed in February, and the Kim Kun-hee special prosecutor bill, proposed by the Democratic Party on the 9th, as fast-track bills," and officially proposed this to opposition lawmakers including the Justice Party. However, this proposal was not accepted.

The Democratic Party demanded that the two special prosecutor bills be passed as fast-track bills at the plenary session on the 30th and requested the Justice Party's participation. However, the Justice Party maintained the position that the fast-track promotion should be discussed only after going through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee procedures.

However, even if the special prosecutor bills are submitted to the plenary session on the 30th, it is expected to be difficult to reach the actual passage procedure after subsequent subcommittee discussions. This is because the committee chairperson, Kim Do-eup, is from the People Power Party, and the ruling party continues to oppose the handling of the special prosecutor bills.

In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Ki Dong-min, the opposition floor whip in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stated in a position paper, "It is true that the ruling party has been dismissive whenever the Daejang-dong special prosecutor was mentioned," and added, "We expect this to be an opportunity to overcome the reality where only one-sided allegations against Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung by the prosecution were rampant, to reveal the substantial truth of the Daejang-dong 5 Billion Won Club, and to establish true justice through a fair investigation." He also urged the submission of the Kim Kun-hee special prosecutor bill together.

Justice Party lawmaker Ryu Ho-jeong, who serves as the party's floor spokesperson, held a press conference at the National Assembly that day and said, "The confirmation of the submission of the 5 Billion Won Club special prosecutor bill to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee tomorrow (the 30th) is a result led by the Justice Party," adding, "The special prosecutor is for uncovering the truth and realizing judicial justice, not for political attacks against the government or ruling party. It should not be reduced to political strife or used as a strategy to undermine the prosecution's investigation." She further stated, "The Justice Party will monitor the special prosecutor bill discussions in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the progress of the prosecution's investigation, and if the results are unsatisfactory to the public, we promise to activate the 5 Billion Won Club special prosecutor bill within the term of the 21st National Assembly."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, floor leader Joo explained during a meeting with the Justice Party leadership regarding the 5 Billion Won Club special prosecutor, "A special prosecutor is a last resort used when investigations are insufficient or when unresolved suspicions remain even after investigations are completed. I understand that the investigation is currently ongoing," and added, "I was concerned about the issue of investigations being halted if the special prosecutor is activated during the investigation."

He continued, "Whether the bill is submitted is the authority of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. I am also checking the situation and expressing my opinion, but it is true that I cannot force it," and said, "Regarding the 5 Billion Won Club special prosecutor, I will convey my thoughts again to the committee's floor whip and chairperson and try to have it submitted for deliberation."

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 Won Club to recommend the special prosecutor," and explained, "I came here to firmly clarify how to handle this issue after seeing that the bill was not submitted to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee plenary session on the 27th." He added, "I received a response from floor leader Joo that he will try to have it submitted to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and I believe this is the first step to proceed with deliberations according to the National Assembly Act procedures."

Regarding the Justice Party's decision, Democratic Party floor leader Park Hong-geun said to reporters at the National Assembly that day, "The authority to submit and review the special prosecutor bill lies with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, so I will tell our party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairperson and floor whip to actively try," and criticized floor leader Joo Ho-young, saying, "What does this mean? It is very formal political rhetoric, just listing investigations."

He also said, "Is the Justice Party going to once again just watch the changes and attitudes of the People Power Party and the prosecution like a stone statue?" and added, "I cannot accept that they will wait until this investigation forever falls into the abyss of history and is covered up."