Increased Possibility of 5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Bill Fast-Track Designation on the 27th
Park Hong-geun Actively Pushes for Voting on 'Nurse Act and Medical Act' Based on Policy Convictions
Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who has been pushing for the '50 Billion Club' bribery allegations and the special prosecutor law for investigating the involvement of President Yoon Seok-yeol's spouse Kim Gun-hee in stock manipulation, is increasingly likely to have these 'dual special prosecutor laws' designated as fast-track bills. Attention is focused on whether Park’s last dance (final mission) with just over a week left in his term will conclude successfully.
On the 20th, Park stated at the Policy Coordination Meeting, "On the 27th plenary session, we will proceed according to the National Assembly Act procedures to designate the dual special prosecutor laws as fast-track bills and handle the livelihood bills directly referred," clearly expressing his intention to wrap up the special prosecutor laws he has been pursuing within his term.
Park, who had been persuading the Justice Party to secure the necessary quorum for fast-track processing, mentioned that the normal processing of the special prosecutor laws through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee has reached its limits. The Justice Party had demanded prioritizing processing through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee regarding the dual special prosecutor laws, but now it has reached a dead end.
On the same day, the Justice Party officially declared that if the 50 Billion Club special prosecutor law is not processed by the next plenary session, they will join the fast-track on the 27th. Lee Eun-ju, floor leader of the Justice Party, said, "Pass the 50 Billion Club special prosecutor law in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee by the 26th," adding, "If the deadline is missed, the Justice Party has no choice but to go to the fast-track." Regarding the special prosecutor law related to Kim Gun-hee, Lee also stated, "If it is not even submitted to the full Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting by this week, the Justice Party will clearly have no choice but to negotiate with the Democratic Party for the processing of Kim Gun-hee’s special prosecutor law."
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
The Democratic Party will hold a party meeting on the 28th, the day after the plenary session on the 27th, to elect Park’s successor. It is reported that Park has a strong will to conclude the issues he has pursued during his term. Ultimately, the fast-track designation of the special prosecutor laws before Park’s term ends is becoming increasingly likely.
A Democratic Party floor official explained, "Regarding the fast-track issue of the dual special prosecutor laws, it was considered that Park could no longer delay the matter, not only because of his sense of duty to finish what he started but also considering the schedule of the regular National Assembly session." Even if the dual special prosecutor laws are designated as fast-track bills, the cooling-off period takes about eight months, so even if processed at the plenary session on the 27th, it would be physically difficult to handle the laws within the regular session. This is one of the reasons for hastening the special prosecutor laws. There is also concern that if delayed further, the special prosecutor laws could be scrapped due to next year’s general election schedule.
Additionally, Park plans to conclude the voting on the Nursing Act and other bills directly referred to the plenary session on the 27th. The Democratic Party plans to hold a party meeting at 3 p.m. that day to share specific situations regarding the Nursing Act and Medical Service Act. Park is said to approach the Nursing Act and others with 'policy conviction.' The Broadcasting Act is also planned to be finalized up to the point of direct referral to the plenary session.
Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho evaluated Park by saying, "He has devoted himself sincerely and passionately as floor leader over the past year," and "One of his achievements is that he has handled major issues with considerable drive." He added, "Park seems to have an obsession with finishing everything he promised and started," and advised, "When wrapping up, don’t be too greedy and leave some work for the next floor leader."
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