The 4th Case Among People Power Party Lawmakers
"We Will Show the Image of a Responsible Party for National Interest"
"The Vicious Cycle of Reconsideration Requests is an Unnecessary Drain on National Power"
Choi Jae-hyung, a member of the People Power Party, expressed support on the 25th for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act (Special Prosecutor Appointment Act for Investigating Obstruction and Concealment of the Truth Regarding the Death of a Marine in the Line of Duty), saying, "Accept the special prosecutor confidently and demand cooperation."
On the same day, Choi said on Facebook, "At a time when numerous urgent issues such as pension reform need to be resolved, it is necessary to carefully consider whether refusing the special prosecutor and exhausting political energy on disputes over the special prosecutor serves the national interest, and what the president or the ruling party might politically gain in the process."
He continued, "It would have been better if the president had not requested reconsideration, but since the request has already been made, if the special prosecutor is accepted confidently and cooperation is demanded for livelihood legislation and the organization of the National Assembly, it would demonstrate the image of a responsible party that upholds fairness, common sense, and the national interest," adding, "It could also seize the initiative in the political situation."
Choi stated, "The vicious cycle of passing the special prosecutor law and requesting reconsideration is an unnecessary drain on national power and will subject both ruling and opposition parties to political criticism," and added, "It will not be easy for the government and the ruling party to escape the political burden of refusing the special prosecutor because they still want to hide something."
He also pointed out, "If it is revealed that there was illegality at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), since the principle of conducting a special prosecutor investigation after the CIO investigation was upheld, there will be far more citizens criticizing the refusal of the special prosecutor as an attempt to hide something than those supporting the opposition to the special prosecutor."
Regarding the 'poisonous clauses' in the special prosecutor law that his party has argued against, Choi said, "While that is true, it seems insufficient as a logic to persuade the public."
He added, "Although the opposition party recommends the special prosecutor, it is not that the opposition party can freely recommend them; rather, two of the four recommended by the Korean Bar Association are selected," and said, "Even if there is no explicit provision for daily briefings in the special prosecutor law, if the right of the public to know is invoked, there is no proper way to block it."
Among ruling party lawmakers, Choi is the fourth to publicly announce support for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, following Ahn Cheol-soo, Yoo Ui-dong, and Kim Woong.
Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the National Assembly on the same day, "I believe some members of the People Power Party have become aware of and recognized the voice of the people, fairness, and common sense," and added, "I hope more ruling party lawmakers will vote in favor during the reconsideration. If the president does not take the right path, isn't it the ruling party's role to suggest the correct direction?"
The Democratic Party plans to hold a re-vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, which President Yoon Seok-youl vetoed, at the plenary session on the 28th.
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