Heo Eun-ah: "Is the Standing Special Prosecutor Recommendation Right a 'Parliamentary Version of Jang Yuyu-seo'... It Should Be Resubmitted"

The Reform New Party argued that the ruling Democratic Party's push for a 'permanent special prosecutor' recommendation right related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee is not in line with democratic principles. The Reform New Party emphasized the need to reintroduce the amendment to allow their participation in the special prosecutor recommendation committee.

On the 16th, Heo Eun-ah, leader of the Reform New Party, said at a National Assembly press conference, "The National Assembly Steering Committee referred the amendment regarding the composition of the special prosecutor recommendation committee to the subcommittee today solely by the opposition party," adding, "This is an attempt to bypass the issue of First Lady Kim with a permanent special prosecutor, but the content of the amendment proposed by the Democratic Party is quite bizarre."

Leader Heo said, "I understand that the Democratic Party does not want to give the People Power Party the right to recommend special prosecutors," but added, "However, I cannot help but be surprised at the part where they say they will give one recommendation right each to two minor negotiation groups and prioritize the group with more members."

She emphasized, "Moreover, if the number of members is the same, the recommendation right is given to the minor negotiation group with the older member of the National Assembly," adding, "This is neither a 'National Assembly version of seniority' nor is there any such unconstitutional idea in the world. All members of the National Assembly are equal constitutional institutions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Leader Heo criticized, "Recommendation rights should be granted based on reasonable criteria, not on the number of members," and said, "The Reform New Party was founded in January this year, all its members are first-term lawmakers in their 30s and 40s. Therefore, the Democratic Party's current 'seniority rule' is a blatant exclusion rule against the Reform New Party and a youth exclusion rule telling young people to step back."

She continued, "Our Reform New Party is fighting more fiercely than any other party against the incompetent and corrupt Yoon Seok-yeol administration," and said, "I cannot understand why the Democratic Party is trying so hard to separate our Reform New Party and young people from the anti-Yoon Seok-yeol front."

Leader Heo emphasized, "When the number of seats is the same, decisions should be made through consultation in accordance with democratic principles," and said, "It would also be in line with the principles of conservative and progressive, rational balance for our Reform New Party to participate in the special prosecutor candidate recommendation committee."

She said, "The Democratic Party should immediately withdraw the amendment and resubmit an amendment that reflects the voices of the youth," warning, "I caution against making unnecessary enemies when we should be fighting together."