Choo Kyung-ho Meets with Police Chief and Corruption Investigation Office Chief
"Deliver Results Before Corporal Chae's 1st Death Anniversary Next Month"
Legislation Committee Forms Subcommittee and Holds Hearings
On the 14th, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, visited the National Police Agency and met with the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) to urge a swift investigation into the death of Marine Sergeant Chae. The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, intensified pressure by unilaterally forming a bill review subcommittee to formally examine the 'Chae Sergeant Special Prosecutor Act' during the full meeting of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
On the 14th, including People Power Party Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho and Policy Committee Chairman Jeong Jeom-sik, visited the National Police Agency to urge a swift investigation into the death of Marine Corps Corporal Chae Mo. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
On the same day, Floor Leader Choo visited the National Police Agency in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, urging the disclosure of the investigation results regarding Sergeant Chae's death. After meeting with Police Commissioner Yoon Hee-geun, Choo told reporters, "A few days ago, there was a heartfelt letter from the mother, pleading for a thorough investigation result to be announced to the public one week before Sergeant Chae's death anniversary." He added, "The People Power Party urged that a thorough and swift investigation be conducted and the results be disclosed to the public before July 19, the first anniversary of Sergeant Chae's death." Currently, the Gyeongbuk Provincial Police Agency is in charge of investigating the responsibility for Sergeant Chae's death.
Floor Leader Choo also held a meeting with Odong-hoon, the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. The CIO is currently investigating allegations of external pressure related to this case. Prosecutor-turned lawmakers Jeong Jeom-sik, policy chief of the People Power Party, Yoo Sang-beom, and Joo Jin-woo were also present. Choo warned that if a strict and swift investigation is not conducted, the existence of the CIO could be questioned. He said, "The CIO was established amid disagreements between the ruling and opposition parties from the start," adding, "It was launched to minimize the need for a special prosecutor." He further stated, "I believe the CIO needs to make every effort to conclude this case early and announce the investigation results so that the reason for the CIO's existence can be reconsidered."
Jeong Cheong-rae, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is presiding over the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th. This meeting was the first full session of the 22nd National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, held solely by opposition party members in the absence of ruling party lawmakers. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Meanwhile, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee formed a bill review subcommittee in the morning and referred the 'Chae Sergeant Special Prosecutor Act' to it. Kim Seung-won chairs the first subcommittee, and Jang Kyung-tae chairs the second. All members from the People Power Party boycotted the full meeting that day. The Ministers of Justice and National Defense also did not attend the subsequent briefing sessions. The special prosecutor bill is expected to be submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly after a legislative hearing. Committee Chair Jeong said, "If the subcommittee or its chair is not physically elected, a serious disruption will occur," adding, "I want to emphasize that we have no choice but to proceed with the subcommittee in this manner."
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