Opposition, on Yoon Chae Sang-byeong's Special Prosecutor Bill Veto Step: "The One Who Rejects the Special Prosecutor Is the Culprit"

As President Yoon Suk-yeol is expected to exercise his veto power over the special prosecutor law concerning the investigation into the death of Corporal Chae (the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law), the opposition parties are intensifying their pressure. The opposition has stated that if the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law returns to the National Assembly, they will reapprove it at the plenary session scheduled for the 28th.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the joint press conference held by opposition parties and civil society condemning the request for reconsideration of the 'Special Prosecutor Act for Chae Sang-byeong' at the National Assembly on the 21st. On the same day, the government, at the Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, approved the request for reconsideration of the 'Special Prosecutor Act on the Investigation Interference Allegations in the Death Case of Marine Chae Sang-byeong.' Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 21st, six opposition parties (the Democratic Party of Korea, Justice Party, New Future Party, Joguk Innovation Party, Progressive Party, and Basic Income Party) along with civic groups held a joint press conference titled "Opposition and Civil Society Joint Press Conference Condemning the Demand for Reconsideration of the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law" at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Attendees included Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, Jang Hye-young, acting floor leader of the Justice Party, Jo Guk, leader of the Joguk Innovation Party, Yoon Hee-sook, standing representative of the Justice Party, Yong Hye-in, member of the Basic Income Party, and Choi Sung, emergency committee member of the New Future Party.

Leader Lee said, "This administration only apologizes in words, defies the people's mandate, and has even declared it will fight against the people. Does the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, which mercilessly rejected the last chance given by the people, have any sense of justice, common sense, or fairness?" He continued, "President Yoon said during his presidential campaign that the one who refuses a special prosecutor is the culprit. Since he has confessed to being the culprit, shouldn't he be held accountable for the crime?"

Leader Jo criticized the Yoon administration's actions as being close to dictatorship. Jo said, "The Yoon administration is about to exercise its tenth veto. President Yoon and his aides, who so highly regard former President Rhee Syngman, are now second to him. President Yoon is moving from prosecutorial dictatorship to administrative dictatorship," he criticized. He also warned, "I warn President Yoon to remember the fate of former President Rhee. I will stand to the end not as a party member but as a citizen and a member of the people."

They also expressed their determination to reapprove the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law at the plenary session at the end of this month. Leader Lee said, "The opposition will unite to judge the Yoon administration's unilateral rule and arrogance and will definitely reapprove the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law. The People Power Party is the same. What should be feared is not the president or power but truth and justice," he said. Acting floor leader Jang emphasized, "Considering the obstruction of the investigation by public authority, even some ruling party members agree that a special prosecutor free from government influence is necessary. We will do our utmost to ensure that the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law passes at the last plenary session of the 21st National Assembly."

On the same day, the government held a Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office, presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, and resolved to request reconsideration (veto) of the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law. President Yoon is expected to approve the reconsideration request within the day. Prime Minister Han stated regarding the Chae Corporal Special Prosecutor Law, "There are many problems in terms of the resolution process and the method of recommending the special prosecutor."