The Democratic Party decides on Chaesangbyeong's participation in the state audit... "List to be notified today"

10 Members of the Democratic Party, 7 of the People Power Party, and 1 from a Non-negotiating Group
Choo Kyung-ho: "A Distorted Form if the Democratic Party Operates Alone"

On the 2nd, the People Power Party decided to participate in the National Assembly's special committee for a national investigation into the 'Chae Sang-byeong line-of-duty death incident,' which is being promoted by the Democratic Party of Korea.

On the same day, after an emergency closed-door meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly in the morning, Floor Leader Chu told reporters, "We plan to participate in the Chae Sang-byeong national investigation," adding, "We will notify the Speaker's office of the list of special committee members within today."

Earlier, on the 27th of last month, the Democratic Party submitted the list of members for the Chae Sang-byeong national investigation special committee and stated that if the People Power Party did not submit their list, they would form the committee unilaterally.

Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Although the People Power Party was initially negative about the national investigation, this move is interpreted as submitting the ruling party's share of special committee members to prevent the opposition from forming the committee alone. The special committee will be composed of 10 members from the Democratic Party, 7 from the People Power Party, and 1 from a minor negotiating group, reflecting the National Assembly's seat distribution.

Floor Leader Chu explained, "Through various hearings and audits in the National Assembly, countless fact-finding activities have been conducted, but the Democratic Party is attempting to use the national investigation for political conflict," adding, "That was the original reason for our negative stance."

He continued, "We seriously considered not participating in the national investigation since the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) has not yet released investigation results, but because the Democratic Party's unilateral operation of the national investigation could lead to another distorted form, the People Power Party will actively engage in the National Assembly's efforts for thorough fact-finding."

He added, "We decided to participate in the national investigation with the intention of thoroughly revealing various issues related to the Chae Sang-byeong line-of-duty death incident, explaining them to the public, and providing an opportunity for public understanding."

Speaker Woo Won-sik has set a plan to process the national investigation implementation plan at the National Assembly plenary session on the 4th.