Lee Jae-myung expresses "regret... special prosecutor law must be feared" toward Korea
Mentions 'timing can be moved up' on premise of impeachment push
No Jong-myeon states "early impeachment if permanent special prosecutor not appointed"
Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, exercised veto power over six bills including the Grain Management Act, prompting the Democratic Party of Korea to pressure him by stating that "preemptive impeachment is possible."
On the 20th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, targeted Acting President Han at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, saying, "It is truly regrettable that the separation of powers by the government continues to be undermined," and urged, "Promptly promulgate the special prosecutor laws according to the will of the people." The National Assembly passed the so-called 'Insurrection Special Prosecutor Law' and 'Kim Kun-hee Special Prosecutor Law' in the plenary session on the 12th. Acting President Han must decide to promulgate the bills or exercise veto power before the deadline of January 1 next year.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
The Democratic Party is devising a 'two-track' investigation strategy for the December 3 emergency martial law incident. In addition to the Insurrection Special Prosecutor Law, the 'Permanent Special Prosecutor (Special Prosecutor) Investigation Request for Insurrection' was also processed in the National Assembly on the 10th. The Democratic Party is pressuring Acting President Han to expedite the recommendation of candidates for the permanent special prosecutor. On the same day, Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized, "Immediately request the recommendation of candidates for the permanent special prosecutor to investigate the insurrection incident and promptly promulgate the Insurrection Special Prosecutor Law and the Kim Kun-hee Special Prosecutor Law."
No Jong-myeon, spokesperson for the Democratic Party in the National Assembly, mentioned that impeachment of Acting President Han is being considered as a premise, and only the 'timing' is subject to adjustment. After the party meeting, No told reporters, "At the party level, we will set a 'deadline to enable the permanent special prosecutor to be activated' for Acting President Han," adding, "This will be an important barometer for whether 'early impeachment' will occur." This implies that if the appointment process for the permanent special prosecutor is not expedited, the timing of impeachment against Acting President Han could be moved forward.
He said, "The Democratic Party is not refraining from impeachment despite Acting President Han exercising veto power over six bills," and added, "Preemptive impeachment is also a possible situation."
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