National Governance Gap and Jeju Air Disaster, Burdensome Factors
Choi Sang-mok "Emphasizes Again the Need for Ruling and Opposition Cooperation"
The decision on whether to promulgate the Special Investigation Act on the general insurrection and the Special Investigation Act on Mrs. Kim Geon-hee (Kim Geon-hee Special Investigation Act), also known as the 'Double Special Investigation Act,' will be made in two days. The opposition parties are demanding Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Finance, Choi Sang-mok, to accept the Double Special Investigation Act, but they seem to be somewhat easing the pressure by not issuing a final ultimatum.
Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance, is attending the Private-Public Council for Revitalizing the Domestic Economy held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min
According to political circles on the 30th, the legal deadline for promulgating the Double Special Investigation Act is the 1st of next month. According to Article 53 of the Constitution, a bill passed by the National Assembly is sent to the government, and the president must promulgate it within 15 days or request reconsideration, i.e., exercise a veto. The Double Special Investigation Act passed the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 12th of this month and was sent to the government on the 17th. The regular Cabinet meeting where Acting President Choi can decide on the promulgation of the Double Special Investigation Act will be held the next day.
The opposition parties have consistently urged the government to accept the Double Special Investigation Act. The Democratic Party of Korea demanded Acting President Han Deok-soo to promulgate the Double Special Investigation Act by the 24th, but when Acting President Han did not submit it to the Cabinet meeting, they immediately pulled out the impeachment card. At that time, Cho Seung-rae, the chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, described Acting President Han's decision to withhold promulgation of the Double Special Investigation Act as "an attempt to suspend the constitutional institution called the National Assembly."
In the case of Acting President Choi, the situation is somewhat different. The opposition's pressure appears to have eased somewhat. Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, avoided mentioning the Double Special Investigation Act when meeting with reporters on the 28th. He said, "What the vast majority of the people want is for the insurrection to be quickly suppressed," adding, "It is necessary to investigate Yoon Seok-yeol, and the investigative agencies should immediately request arrest and detention warrants, and the Constitutional Court should dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol." When asked about the Double Special Investigation Act, Han reiterated the urgency of suppressing the insurrection and called for a swift investigation of President Yoon Seok-yeol and a prompt hearing by the Constitutional Court.
Unlike Acting President Han, there is a cautious tone regarding impeachment mentions toward Acting President Choi. Kim Yoon-duk, secretary-general of the Democratic Party, said at a press briefing at the National Assembly the day before, "There is no set deadline for the appointment of Constitutional Court justices and acceptance of the Special Investigation Act. We naturally believe that Acting President Choi will accept the demand." Regarding whether to proceed with impeachment if Acting President Choi exercises the veto on the Double Special Investigation Act, Secretary-General Kim replied, "We need to wait a bit," adding, "We will patiently wait with caution and continue persuasion and dialogue."
Firefighters are searching for fuel items at the site of the Jeju Air passenger plane collision and explosion accident that occurred 30 days ago at Muan International Airport in Jeonnam. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong
This appears to be due to concerns about a backlash from continued impeachment efforts. The reality is that political, economic, and diplomatic uncertainties are increasing due to the actualization of a government vacuum. The won-dollar exchange rate rose to 1,486.7 won, marking the highest level in 15 years and 9 months since March 2009. There is even talk about preparing for a 1,500 won per dollar era. Although the second Trump administration in the U.S. is about to launch, there has been no official contact between governments, and diplomatic gaps continue.
The 'Jeju Air disaster,' which resulted in 179 deaths the day before, is also a burdensome factor. Pressuring to accept the Double Special Investigation Act during the disaster response could lead to criticism that they are only focused on political strife. Kwon Seong-dong, acting leader and floor leader of the People Power Party, said to reporters after a current affairs meeting the day before, "We ask both ruling and opposition parties to stop political strife and devote all efforts to disaster response." Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, also set up a situation room at the Jeonnam Provincial Party Office located in Muan, Jeonnam, and visited the site directly, showing a focus on disaster response rather than political strife.
However, whether Acting President Choi will accept the Double Special Investigation Act remains uncertain. Just before the impeachment of Acting President Han, Choi showed a similar stance emphasizing bipartisan cooperation. On the 27th, he announced at the Government Seoul Office, "The impeachment of Acting President Han is an impeachment of the entire cabinet," and "I once again appeal for cooperation from the ruling and opposition parties so that the government can focus on the economy and people's livelihood."
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