"Martial Law Trigger"... Opposition Party Summons 'Myeong Taegyun' to the National Assembly

Special Prosecutor Bill Passes Legislation and Judiciary Committee

The opposition party has launched a speed campaign to pass the Myeong Taegyun special prosecutor law within February.

On the morning of the 12th, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a plenary meeting and approved the 'Myeong Taegyun Special Prosecutor Law (a bill concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate illegal election interference and state affairs manipulation related to Myeong Taegyun).' The special prosecutor law was passed with 10 votes in favor out of 10 members present, while ruling party lawmakers abstained from voting.

Jang Dong-hyeok, acting floor leader of the ruling People Power Party in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said in a procedural statement before the plenary meeting, "Please firmly establish the principle that contentious bills should not be brought up without a reflection period," and criticized, "Isn't this special law being used to somehow eliminate the leading presidential candidates of the People Power Party as if an early presidential election is imminent?" Yu Sang-beom, the ruling party floor leader in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, did not attend the plenary meeting due to overseas schedule.

Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, responded, "I agree that nothing has been confirmed regarding an early presidential election yet, but I think Representative Jang's claim that 'the ruling party is trying to kill their presidential candidates' is inherently contradictory."

Park Beom-gye, opposition floor leader of the Democratic Party in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said in a procedural statement, "In cases of urgent necessity, the reflection period may not be observed," adding, "Although the reflection period was not followed after the special prosecutor law was proposed, it must be deliberated and passed due to urgent reasons."

Meanwhile, the opposition plans to summon Mr. Myeong as a witness and conduct an urgent issue inquiry on the 19th. However, it is uncertain whether Mr. Myeong will appear before the National Assembly.

Mr. Myeong, currently detained in custody, issued a statement through his lawyer Nam Sang-kwon the day before the special prosecutor law was proposed, requesting, "Please make sure to include all suspicions related to Myeong Taegyun in the special prosecutor's scope, including nomination interference, People Power Party presidential primary, violation of the Political Funds Act, illegal manipulated opinion polls, Changwon National Industrial Complex, the prosecution's instruction to destroy evidence of the golden phone, and lawsuits against Mayors Oh Se-hoon and Hong Jun-pyo."