Democratic Party to Proceed with 'Special Investigation Law on Insurrection' on 16th as Planned... "Separate from Yoon's Arrest"

"People Power Party Should Submit Its Own Bill Even Today"
While Mentioning 'Agreement,' Strong Push for Passage on the 16th

The Democratic Party of Korea maintained its stance to swiftly pass the second "Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor for the Investigation of the Acts of Rebellion and Foreign Exchange Crimes by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government (Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act)," which includes provisions such as the 'third-party recommendation for the special prosecutor,' as originally planned.

Kang Yoo-jung, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, told reporters at the National Assembly on the morning of the 15th, "We can discuss the Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act with the People Power Party even today," adding, "We aim to have it passed by tomorrow (the 16th)." Earlier, Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, had requested the ruling and opposition parties to agree on the special prosecutor law. In response, the People Power Party decided to propose their own bill. However, since the Democratic Party is emphasizing a 'speed race,' there remains a possibility that negotiations may fail.

On the 9th, the six opposition party lawmakers submitted the Special Investigation Act on Treason at the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office. From the left: Cheon Haram, Floor Leader of the Reform New Party; Jeon Jong-deok, Lawmaker of the Progressive Party; Kim Yong-min, Deputy Floor Policy Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea; Han Chang-min, Leader of the Social Democratic Party; Hwang Un-ha, Floor Leader of the National Innovation Party; Yong Hye-in, Leader of the Basic Income Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the same day, the Democratic Party held an emergency party meeting from 6 a.m. in response to the execution of the second arrest warrant against President Yoon Seok-yeol. Floor spokesperson Kang said, "We shared information about the execution of the arrest warrant for about an hour," emphasizing, "The special prosecutor law is completely separate from the execution of the arrest warrant." She added, "If the People Power Party tries to link these two issues, that is absolutely unacceptable." She also urged the ruling party to present their position in the form of a 'bill' so that differences with the Democratic Party's proposed special prosecutor law can be negotiated, calling for the submission of their own bill.

Floor spokesperson Kang reiterated, "Whether it is an amended bill or passed solely by the Democratic Party, we intend to pass the Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act at the plenary session on the 16th." The first Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act, led by the opposition party despite opposition from the People Power Party, was discarded after Acting Prime Minister Choi exercised his veto and a revote on the 8th. At the time of the revote, 198 votes were in favor, just two votes short of the required quorum for passage.