The Democratic Party Holds First Caucus of the 22nd National Assembly... Introduction of the 'Kim Jeong-suk Special Investigation Act'

'Ruling and Opposition Confrontation' National Assembly Organization Negotiation Measures Discussed
Yoon Sang-hyun, Kim Jung-sook First Lady Suspicion Comprehensive Special Prosecutor Act Proposed

On the 3rd, the People Power Party convened the first party caucus of the 22nd National Assembly to discuss countermeasures for negotiations on the organization of the National Assembly with the Democratic Party of Korea (Democratic Party). The People Power Party insists that, according to precedent, the Speaker of the National Assembly should be from the largest party in the assembly, while the chairs of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Steering Committee should be from the second-largest party. On the other hand, the Democratic Party, a massive opposition party with 171 seats, maintains its position to take the chairs of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Steering Committee. Amid the opposition's party-line proposals for special investigation laws on Chaesangbyeong and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, the ruling party retaliated with a special investigation law targeting Kim Jung-sook, the wife of former President Moon Jae-in.

The People Power Party plans to hold a party caucus at 2 p.m. on the 3rd at the National Assembly to discuss countermeasures regarding the opposition's forced organization of the assembly. On the previous day, People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae held negotiations on the organization of the assembly but only confirmed their differences in position.

At a press briefing the day before, Floor Leader Choo stated, "If the Democratic Party insists on taking the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, it is reasonable for the People Power Party to take the position of Speaker of the National Assembly." On the other hand, Floor Leader Park warned at the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting that day, "The People Power Party has not even presented their own proposal and keeps repeating the precedent argument to the media," and vowed to complete the organization of the assembly by the legal deadline of the 7th.

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, is answering questions from reporters after attending the People Power Party and People’s Future elected members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The People Power Party counterattacked by repeatedly raising suspicions about Kim Jung-sook in response to the opposition's attempt to target the Yoon Seok-yeol administration with special investigations on Chaesangbyeong and First Lady Kim Keon-hee. On the morning of the same day, People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun proposed the 'Kim Jung-sook Comprehensive Special Investigation Act,' which calls for investigations into various allegations raised so far, including Kim Jung-sook's visit to India, clothing expenses, swimming lessons for Blue House security guards, irregular hiring, and quid pro quo financial transactions. At a National Assembly press conference that day, Lawmaker Yoon pointed out, "Numerous criminal suspicions that must be clearly investigated through strict investigations have been raised, but for some reason, neither the Moon Jae-in administration nor the Yoon Seok-yeol administration has ever properly investigated these related suspicions."