Handonghun "Proceeding with Cha Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Law Procedure Reflecting Opinions Including Allegations of Report Fabrication"

Park Chan-dae "Third-Party Special Prosecutor Act Also Acceptable"

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 16th that regarding the third-party Chaesangbyeong special prosecutor law, in which the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court recommends the special prosecutor, "We will proceed with the necessary procedures reflecting internal and external opinions, such as the need to include the recently revealed so-called whistleblowing manipulation allegations in the investigation target."

Han said in a statement that day, "We have consistently expressed the position of proposing a proper special prosecutor plan selected by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, removing the omnipotent unconstitutional elements."

At a press conference when he announced his candidacy for party leader in June, Han had stated that he would propose the Chaesangbyeong special prosecutor law adopting a third-party recommendation method regardless of whether the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gongsoocheo) concludes its investigation.

Handonghun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Han’s response came after Park Chan-dae, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, expressed willingness to accept the third-party special prosecutor law. Park said at a Kwanhoon Club invitation debate held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, that "The Democratic Party can also accept the third-party recommendation plan mentioned by Leader Han."

He added, "It would be good if a decision could be made within about ten days or by next Friday regarding the third-party recommended Chaesangbyeong special prosecutor law," and said, "If Leader Han makes a decision on this part and presents the bill, I think it could be enacted even before the regular National Assembly session."

Han criticized this by saying, "The Democratic Party submitted a more unconstitutional special prosecutor bill as soon as the unconstitutional special prosecutor bill was blocked," and "Yet today, they are showing a vacillating stance by saying they might accept the special prosecutor plan proposed by the People Power Party."