Choo Kyung-ho "Marine Corps Special Prosecutor, Democratic Party's Self-Contradiction... Pension Reform to be Discussed in the 22nd National Assembly"

"Priority on the Corruption Investigation Office's Investigation" Reemphasized

With the special investigation law for Marine Corps members expected to be re-voted on the 28th, the People Power Party pointed out that the Democratic Party of Korea's demand for the special investigation law while distrusting the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (PCC) is itself contradictory. They also expressed their intention to handle the pension reform plan in the 22nd National Assembly.

Why Distrust the PCC... Self-Contradiction

On the 24th, at a floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "Numerous issues were pointed out during the legislative process of establishing the PCC, and the People Power Party opposed the establishment of the PCC until the end. However, the Democratic Party launched the PCC by even filing complaints against People Power Party lawmakers, party officials, and aides," adding, "Now, demanding a special investigation while saying they cannot trust the PCC, an independent investigative body newly established by the Democratic Party's full efforts, is self-contradictory and an act of disregarding the rule of law."

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Floor leader Choo also said, "Wasn't the purpose of establishing the PCC, as claimed by the Democratic Party, to replace the special investigation?" He pointed out, "The special investigation law proposed by the Democratic Party for Chae Sang-byeong contains several toxic clauses. Granting the Democratic Party, the complainant, the exclusive right to recommend special prosecutors infringes on the president's authority to appoint public officials and may be unconstitutional." He added, "The clause allowing special prosecutors to hold frequent media briefings is likely a hidden intention to drag the issue into political strife," emphasizing, "The president has also said that if the PCC investigation results do not resolve public suspicions, he will first call for a special investigation. For now, we should watch the PCC investigation."

Seong Il-jong, secretary-general of the People Power Party, also criticized at the meeting, "Democratic Party lawmaker Park Ju-min sent a letter to our party members asking them to support the Marine Corps members' special investigation law," adding, "Although it appeared as if communicating with ruling party lawmakers, this is not communication but a joke." He continued, "They unilaterally insist on the problematic special investigation law, with no intention to resolve toxic clauses or reach bipartisan consensus," and said, "Lawmaker Park is deeply involved in the Marine Corps members' special investigation law and knows better than anyone that this bill does not guarantee independence and neutrality." He argued that having the Korean Bar Association recommend four special prosecutors, with two selected by the Democratic Party and then appointed by the president, is merely a disguised tactic borrowing the Korean Bar Association's name.

Secretary-General Seong added, "That's not all. The special investigation law requires disclosure of suspect facts and investigation processes," and said, "During the 2019 Moon Jae-in administration, citing human rights, the Ministry of Justice issued directives prohibiting disclosure of investigation processes in cases like the Cho Kuk incident, but this law demands full disclosure?an example of double standards." He continued, "Lawmaker Park led efforts to establish the PCC because she did not trust the prosecution and also spearheaded amendments to the Military Court Act to allow civilian investigations in military death accidents," emphasizing, "Now, claiming distrust in the police and PCC and demanding a special investigation, who is really undermining state institutions?" He added, "PCC staff were selected during the Moon administration. The Marine Corps members' special investigation law is nothing but a political offensive aimed at paralyzing state affairs and imposing political burdens," concluding, "Our party will not be swayed by such petty schemes and will proceed with the vote based on common sense as the party line."

Let’s Discuss Pension Reform in the 22nd National Assembly

The People Power Party also decided on the same day to newly discuss the pension reform plan in the 22nd National Assembly. Floor leader Choo said, "Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, proposed a summit meeting to handle the pension reform plan," adding, "Stop the hypocrisy of pretending to care for the people and reform by lying that the Democratic Party's plan, which has not been agreed upon by both parties, is the government's plan." He emphasized, "The People Power Party clearly states that sustainable pension reform for our future is a core task to be handled first with public consensus in the 22nd National Assembly."

After the meeting, Floor leader Choo told reporters that Lee expressed willingness to negotiate between the income replacement rates of 44% and 45% proposed by both parties, saying, "If there were such various proposals, they should have been discussed through bipartisan negotiations earlier and reported to many lawmakers," reiterating the urgent need to discuss the pension reform plan in the 22nd National Assembly.

Jung Jeom-sik, chairman of the People Power Party's Policy Committee, also said, "We fully agree with the opposition's need for pension reform," but criticized, "Lee's claim is not about pension reform itself but is merely a political tactic to justify the ruling party's forced passage of the Marine Corps members' special investigation law, the Grain Management Act, and the Democratic Meritorious Persons Act." He added, "Since pension reform affects the retirement of all citizens, a comprehensive reform plan considering the burden on future generations must be prepared," and said, "The People Power Party plans to prepare the reform plan after sufficient discussion in the 22nd National Assembly rather than rushing to handle it in the 21st National Assembly."