Luxury Bag Investigation Review Committee Meets Today... Democratic Party Restarting 'Kim Geonhee Special Prosecutor Act'

Reintroduction of the Special Prosecutor Act Rejected in the 21st National Assembly
Fierce Attack Adding 'General Election Interference Allegation Case'

The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing for the appointment of a special prosecutor to verify allegations against Kim Geon-hee, the wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol. In particular, the Prosecutorial Investigation Deliberation Committee (PIDC) will decide on June 6 whether to continue investigating the luxury handbag acceptance case involving Mrs. Kim. Depending on the PIDC's decision, the momentum for pushing the special prosecutor law is expected to change.

All 11 members of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Innovation Party of Justice in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee have submitted the "Strengthened Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law." In addition to allegations of luxury handbag acceptance, stock manipulation, and customs drug case lobbying, they added the "allegation of interference in the general election nomination." They are pushing the special prosecutor law in the 22nd National Assembly following the 21st. During the 21st National Assembly, the bill passed the plenary session led by the opposition party, but after the president exercised his veto, it failed to secure the quorum for a re-vote and was ultimately discarded.

In March of last year, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea submitted the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' to the Legislative Affairs Office at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party is expected to adjust the intensity of its offensive depending on the PIDC results announced that day. The PIDC is a method chosen by Prosecutor General Lee Won-seok on May 23 to "enhance fairness." The PIDC's deliberation opinion has a recommendatory effect on the investigation team but is not mandatory to follow. Previously, the prosecution judged that there was no criminal suspicion related to Mrs. Kim's luxury handbag acceptance.

Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, said, "There is concern that this is just an attempt to gain procedural legitimacy through holding the PIDC," but added, "We will definitely uncover the truth by including the allegation of interference in the general election in the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader, are talking at the National Assembly plenary session held on the 28th of last month. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party also emphasized the connection between the allegation of Mrs. Kim's interference in the general election and President Yoon. At a meeting, Floor Leader Park claimed, "It has become clear that President Yoon holding nationwide livelihood forums during the general election and pouring out regional pledges was intended to directly influence the election. This is a clear violation of the Public Official Election Act." Policy Committee Chair Jin Sung-jun also stated, "Mrs. Kim reportedly promised to prepare 'customized regional pledges,'" adding, "In fact, President Yoon held 28 livelihood forums, delivering customized regional pledges." Yoon Jong-gun, the floor spokesperson, said, "I think the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law should be proposed before Chuseok."