Presidential Office Calls Opposition's Impeachment and Permanent Special Prosecutor "Clear Unconstitutionality, Judicial Undermining"

Impeachment of Audit Board Chairman Criticized as "Constitutional Violation"
Permanent Special Prosecutor Excluding Ruling Party Called "Violation of Separation of Powers"

Jeong Hye-jeon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, is holding a briefing on current issues at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Presidential Office criticized the opposition parties, including the Democratic Party, for pushing to impeach Audit Board Chairman Choi Jae-hae, calling it "an unprecedented event in constitutional history" and "a fundamental undermining of the constitutional order."

It also pointed out that the passage of a National Assembly rule amendment, which excludes the ruling party from recommending candidates for a permanent special prosecutor in investigations targeting the president or their relatives, is a "clear violation of the constitution."

Jung Hye-jeon, spokesperson for the Presidential Office, held a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the afternoon of the 29th, stating, "If the constitutional function of the Audit Board is paralyzed, the damage will directly affect the people."

Earlier, the Democratic Party decided to push for impeachment, alleging that Chairman Choi violated the National Assembly's testimony and inspection law by committing perjury during a parliamentary audit. With a majority in the National Assembly, the Democratic Party alone can pass the impeachment motion. This is the first time in history that the National Assembly has impeached the head of a constitutional institution such as the Audit Board chairman.

Spokesperson Jung strongly criticized the opposition's push to impeach prosecutors, including Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang-soo, calling it a shield for the opposition party leader.

Jung said, "Impeaching the leadership of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office just because the investigation results did not come out as the opposition wanted is a clear retaliatory impeachment," emphasizing, "It can only be seen as an attempt to paralyze the judicial system."

In particular, Jung mentioned that the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office also handles general civil cases, warning, "If impeachments continue solely to protect the opposition, civil cases will be endlessly delayed, and the damage will directly fall on the people."

Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung and floor leader Park Chan-dae are attending and conversing at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News.

Regarding the Democratic Party's forcible passage of the permanent special prosecutor rule amendment, the Presidential Office stated, "It is a clear violation of the separation of powers that undermines the political neutrality of the special prosecutor and infringes on the executive branch's investigative and prosecutorial authority as well as the president's appointment rights."

The Democratic Party passed the amendment the day before, which prevents the ruling party from participating in the Special Prosecutor Candidate Recommendation Committee when a special prosecutor investigation is decided for the president or their relatives, and this was the issue raised.

Spokesperson Jung said, "It is like a player who should be playing the game trying to set the rules and referee to suit their own taste," emphasizing, "It is fully predictable how politically biased the special prosecutor investigation will be."

The opposition's push for four laws under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, including the Grain Management Act, was also criticized as "an attempt to induce the president's re-request authority."

Jung said about these bills, "They are laws that even producer groups such as farmers are concerned about," pointing out, "The Grain Act obligates the government to purchase surplus rice, which increases fiscal burden and entrenches oversupply of rice, causing long-term price declines."

Regarding the National Assembly Act amendment, which aims to abolish the automatic submission system for the budget bill, Jung said, "It contains anti-constitutional content that refuses to meet the budget bill processing deadline," adding, "Delays in National Assembly approval will harm the people and ultimately damage livelihoods."