Ruling Party Leadership's All-Out Effort to Block Special Prosecutor Bill Passage
At Least 17 Defection Votes Needed
The re-vote on the Special Prosecutor Act concerning the alleged external pressure in the death case of Marine Corps Sergeant Chae Sang-byeong (Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act) will be brought to the final plenary session of the 21st National Assembly on the 28th. Although the likelihood of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act being rejected in this plenary session is high, an unexpected outcome is anticipated depending on dissenting votes (votes in favor) from the ruling party, the People Power Party.
According to political circles, the ruling and opposition parties will push for a re-vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act at the National Assembly plenary session held in the afternoon. Previously, President Yoon Suk-yeol exercised his veto power on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act on the 21st.
The People Power Party has already established opposition to the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act as its party stance. This is because the investigation by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (Public Officials Corruption Investigation Unit, or POCI), forcibly established by the Democratic Party, is ongoing, and the opposition is expected to use this special prosecutor as a foothold to push the Yoon Suk-yeol administration into an impeachment crisis.
For a bill vetoed by the president to be passed, it must receive attendance from a majority of the total members and at least two-thirds of the votes in favor. If all 295 members (excluding Representative Yoon Kwan-seok) attend, 17 dissenting votes are required for passage.
Therefore, it is expected to be difficult for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act to be approved in the 21st National Assembly. However, as signs of dissent have emerged within the People Power Party, it is difficult to maintain an overly optimistic outlook.
So far, five members?Kim Woong, Ahn Cheol-soo, Yoo Ui-dong, Choi Jae-hyung, and Kim Geun-tae?have expressed support for the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act.
The leadership of the People Power Party is making every effort to prevent dissenting votes, emphasizing that the ruling party must maintain a united front to ensure the rejection of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. Floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and current and former leaders of the People Power Party have recently contacted members individually, urging them to oppose the special prosecutor act.
Earlier, on the 23rd, Floor Leader Choo sent a letter to members requesting, "In response to the Speaker of the National Assembly and the opposition party's forced plenary session, an emergency members' meeting will be held at 1 p.m. on the 28th. I ask all members to attend without exception."
On the other hand, the Democratic Party is appealing to People Power Party members to make a decision based on 'the Constitution and conscience.' At the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly the previous day, leader Lee Jae-myung said, "History will remember the choices of the People Power Party members," urging, "You should fear the people, not Yongsan (the Presidential Office)."
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