Yoo Sang-beom "Will Fight Against Democratic Party's Parliamentary Dictatorship"
Opposition Party Wants Plenary Session on 12th
The Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, which investigates various allegations against First Lady Kim Geon-hee, wife of President Yoon Seok-yeol, and the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, which allows the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to recommend special prosecutors, passed the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee led by the opposition parties.
On the morning of the 11th, at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Jang Dong-hyeok and Song Seok-jun, members of the People Power Party, are requesting an opportunity to make a procedural statement. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 11th, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a plenary session at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, and approved the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act and the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. The two bills will be submitted to the plenary session after a one-day reflection period. Members of the People Power Party protested the opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea and the Justice Party, for processing the bills unilaterally and left the meeting room just before the vote.
That morning, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee tabled the two bills and conducted substitute debates. The People Power Party raised concerns about the opposition party’s authority to reject special prosecutors recommended by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. On the other hand, the opposition parties argued that this was a safeguard to appoint special prosecutors who have no conflicts of interest with President Yoon and First Lady Kim.
Subsequently, a bill adjustment committee was formed at the suggestion of the People Power Party. However, no significant negotiations took place even in the bill adjustment committee, where opposition members held the majority. After leaving the meeting room, Yoo Sang-beom, the People Power Party member and the committee’s floor leader, told reporters, "The subcommittee passed the bills with a one-sided vote without sufficient discussion, and the bill adjustment committee only held a brief 15-minute discussion," adding, "Although we are a minority ruling party, we will actively use various systems to continue fighting against the Democratic Party’s parliamentary dictatorship."
The opposition parties want the two bills to be processed in the National Assembly plenary session on the 12th. However, Speaker Woo Won-shik has not given a definite answer about holding the plenary session before Chuseok. The People Power Party plans to conduct a filibuster (unlimited debate) if the two bills are submitted to the plenary session.
The Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act includes investigations into allegations such as stock price manipulation of Deutsche Motors by First Lady Kim, suspicions of receiving luxury bags, and interference in candidate nominations for the 22nd general election. The Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act adds a method where the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court recommends four special prosecutors, and among them, the Democratic Party and non-negotiating parties each recommend one to the president. It also includes the authority for the opposition to request re-nomination if they find the Chief Justice’s recommended candidates inappropriate.
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