Ruling and Opposition Parties to Re-vote on Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act on the 10th of Next Month... "Significant Progress in Constitutional Court Justice Recommendation"

The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to re-vote next month on the special prosecutor law concerning First Lady Kim Keon-hee, which President Yoon Seok-yeol vetoed (Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Law). The appointment of the Constitutional Court justices, which remained as a recommendation from the National Assembly, is expected to be finalized soon.

On the 26th, Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended a meeting of the floor leaders of the two parties held at the National Assembly, presided over by Speaker Woo Won-shik. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the afternoon of the 26th, the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties met at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, presided over by Speaker Woo Won-shik. After the meeting, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, told reporters, "We have scheduled plenary sessions on the 2nd, 4th, and 10th of next month," adding, "The regular session of the National Assembly runs until the 10th of next month, and the 2nd is the deadline under the National Assembly Act for the tax law revision bill and the budget bill. A report on the prosecutor impeachment motion is expected on the 2nd."

They also set the schedule for the re-vote on the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Law, which President Yoon vetoed. Park said, "The re-vote on the special prosecutor law related to Mrs. Kim will be held on the last day of the regular session, the 10th of next month."

The Democratic Party explained that they postponed the vote on the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecutor Law to ease conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties. Originally, the Democratic Party planned to hold the re-vote on the 28th of this month. Park said, "Since both parties need to participate fully in the vote, we have set the re-vote date precisely," adding, "It is appropriate to allow both parties sufficient time to prepare."

The ruling and opposition parties have also narrowed their differences regarding the appointment of Constitutional Court justices. Currently, there are three vacancies in the Constitutional Court. The Democratic Party insists that the opposition should recommend two justices, while the People Power Party argues that both parties should each recommend one justice. Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "Discussions regarding the recommendation of Constitutional Court justices are actively underway," adding, "We have agreed to continue dialogue to finalize this at an early date." Park also explained, "There has been significant progress regarding the National Assembly's recommendation of the three Constitutional Court justices," and "We expect to be able to announce the results soon."

However, they failed to narrow their differences over the state audit related to the death of Chae Sang-byeong. Choo said, "The People Power Party basically holds a negative stance on the state audit," adding, "There is still strong opposition to pushing forward with the state audit. We will take more time to listen to internal opinions." On the other hand, Park announced that the list related to the state audit would be submitted the following day.