People Power Party, Will They Negotiate Special Prosecutor Law Despite Yoon's Detention?... Democratic Party "Will Pass on the 16th"

People Power Party: "Willing to Negotiate... Should Be Able to Wait a Day or Two"
Democratic Party: "Negotiations Possible If People Power Party Proposes the Bill"

The passage of the special prosecutor law to investigate President Yoon Suk-yeol on charges including insurrection is now down to the final hurdle. With the People Power Party reaffirming its intention to propose its own bill even amid the execution phase of the arrest warrant for President Yoon, the possibility of negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties has increased. However, the mood among People Power Party lawmakers and the negotiation deadline are expected to be key factors.

On the 15th, the People Power Party reaffirmed its stance on proposing the special prosecutor law for insurrection. Regarding the special prosecutor law, Kim Dae-sik, the senior spokesperson for the People Power Party in the National Assembly, told reporters in the morning, "The opposition said they would engage in dialogue if we propose the special prosecutor law, so we need to see how the situation unfolds." Earlier on YTN Radio, Kim said, "More than 80% of the People Power Party’s proposal is similar to that of the Democratic Party," adding, "If we remove the problematic clauses, there is a possibility of negotiating with the Democratic Party, and we are willing to negotiate." Regarding the negotiation method, he said, "Whether the Democratic Party sits down to discuss or the Speaker of the National Assembly mediates, the public should have a chance to judge," and added, "Since the People Power Party has said it will proceed, (the Speaker and the opposition) can wait a day or two, can't they?"

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, Joo Jin-woo, chairman of the legal advisory committee, and Yoo Sang-beom, secretary of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, are holding a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 14th regarding the proposal of the "Emergency Martial Law Special Prosecutor Act" (tentative name). Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Although the timing of the bill proposal may be adjusted considering special circumstances such as the execution of the arrest warrant for President Yoon, it is interpreted that there is no change in the existing stance. Previously, the People Power Party prepared a proposal that limits the scope of investigation to charges such as incitement and propaganda of insurrection and foreign exchange inducement, changes the special prosecutor from an insurrection special prosecutor to a martial law special prosecutor, and prohibits media briefings.

The Democratic Party has also left the possibility of negotiation open for now but has set the negotiation deadline firmly for tomorrow. Kang Yoo-jung, the Democratic Party’s floor spokesperson, said, "Once the People Power Party proposes the bill even today, discussions can begin," and added, "Active discussions and consultations are possible at any time." However, regarding the passage of the special prosecutor law, the Democratic Party expressed its determination to "pass it on the 16th, whether as an amended bill or solely by the Democratic Party." Kang said, "The special prosecutor and the arrest warrant should proceed as separate matters," and stated, "The People Power Party cannot link these two issues."

Meanwhile, the first insurrection special prosecutor law led by the opposition party despite opposition from the People Power Party was discarded after a re-vote on the 8th due to the acting president’s veto. At the time of the re-vote, 198 votes were in favor, falling just two votes short of the required majority for passage.