Ahn Cheol-soo: "If There Is a Need to Vote Again on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law, I Will Cast a Yes Vote"

Ahn "Truth Investigation, Proper Honors, and Dignified National Duty"

On the 4th, Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "If there is a chance to vote again on the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act' in the National Assembly, I will cast a vote in favor."

On the same day, Ahn posted on Facebook, "My position in favor of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act remains unchanged," adding, "As a father with children, I will consider only what path is not shameful to history rather than my political gains or losses."

Earlier, opposition parties including the Democratic Party of Korea had unilaterally passed the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act on the 2nd. Although Ahn had expressed support for the act, he left before the vote and did not participate.

This was because he did not agree with the opposition's forced passage through unilateral changes to the legislative schedule. Ahn said, "Even if a 'super special prosecutor' rather than a special prosecutor is needed, the method used on the 2nd was wrong," adding, "A rare atmosphere of bipartisan cooperation was created, but it was kicked away in a day, breaking promises of bipartisan agreement and changing the legislative schedule arbitrarily. Should we just sit and watch this legislative rampage?"

However, he indicated that if President Yoon Seok-youl exercises his veto power and the National Assembly holds a re-vote on the 28th, he would support the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act.

He pointed out, "(The death of Chae Sang-byeong) is an incident where a young soldier lost his precious life while serving the country. Investigating the truth and providing proper honors is the duty of a dignified nation," emphasizing, "National defense and security are core conservative values."

With President Yoon's veto expected, voices of dissent have repeatedly emerged within the ruling party. Previously, Kim Woong, a People Power Party member who did not run in the general election, voted in favor of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act during the plenary session on the 2nd.

According to the National Assembly Act, a bill returned to the National Assembly due to the president's veto requires the attendance of a majority of all members and approval by two-thirds or more of the members present to pass.

Assuming all 295 members, excluding imprisoned independent member Yoon Kwan-seok and others, participate in the vote, 197 votes in favor are needed. Adding 17 additional votes from the ruling coalition to the 180 opposition seats (155 from the Democratic Party, 7 independents formerly of the Democratic Party, 6 from the Green Justice Party, 5 from the New Future Party, 4 from the Reform New Party, and 1 each from the Party for National Innovation, Progressive Party, and New Progressive Alliance) would finalize the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act as law.