Democratic Party Submits Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and Jeonse Fraud Prevention Act to Plenary Session
People Power Party Persuades for Additional Ruling Party and Opposition Negotiations on Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act
Speaker Kim Jin-pyo's Attention on Whether to Unilaterally Submit Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act
On the 2nd, the National Assembly is scheduled to hold a plenary session to pass the 'Itaewon Disaster Truth Investigation Special Act.' The opposition party plans to push for the submission of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and the Jeonse Fraud Special Act to the plenary session along with the Itaewon Special Act, so difficulties are expected.
Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd, "The ruling and opposition parties have agreed on the Itaewon Special Act and will pass it at today's plenary session," adding, "The Jeonse Fraud Special Act and the submission of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act should also be passed in the plenary session."
Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is presiding over the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
The Itaewon Special Act is scheduled to go through the Public Administration and Security Committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the same day and then be put to a vote in the plenary session. The day before, the chief deputy floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties agreed to amend some provisions concerning the formation of the special investigation committee, its activity period, and investigation methods related to the Itaewon Special Act. The Speaker of the National Assembly, after consulting with both parties, appointed the chairperson and allowed each party to recommend four members, effectively structuring the special committee to operate with one more member from the opposition party side.
Since both parties have agreed and the presidential office has issued a welcoming statement, there is no problem with the passage. However, the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act remains a stumbling block. Depending on whether the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act is submitted as an agenda item for the plenary session, the People Power Party is expected to leave the plenary hall after the vote on the Itaewon Special Act.
For now, the ruling party's stance is to continue negotiations on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and not bring it to the plenary session. Lee Yang-su, chief deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said in an interview with SBS Radio, "(Regarding the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act) we are willing to make sufficient concessions through period adjustments. I wonder if we should try to reach an agreement even now," adding, "If the prosecution and police conduct proper investigations but seem directionless and hesitant, we can call for a special prosecutor, so I think it would be good to sit at the negotiation table."
On the other hand, the Democratic Party holds the position that negotiations on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act are impossible. Floor leader Hong said in an interview with CBS Radio, "Honestly, from the perspective of Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party and acting party leader, this issue is one that cannot be agreed upon," adding, "It is easier for the Speaker and the opposition party, which holds the majority seats, to handle it unilaterally. Asking for an agreement on this is giving a difficult task."
Ultimately, the remaining decision lies with the Speaker of the National Assembly.
An official from the Speaker's office said, "The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act was not included as an agenda item because there was no agreement between the ruling and opposition parties," adding, "If the Democratic Party submits a motion to change the agenda during the plenary session, the Speaker will have no choice but to make a judgment then."
Regarding this, floor leader Hong said, "I understand the Speaker's position of requesting an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, but if an agreement is difficult and some time has passed, making a conclusion is politics," adding, "When agreement is difficult, it is the Speaker's role to handle it according to the procedures stipulated by the National Assembly Act." Democratic Party lawmaker Go Min-jung also appeared on MBC Radio and said, "We should try to reach an agreement as far as possible, but if that is not possible, the Speaker should also show a decisive stance."
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