Lee: "Framework for Prosecution Reform Before Chuseok"... Ruling Party Launches TF and Accelerates Push

Following the inauguration of the new administration, the presidential office, government, and ruling party?which had previously shown subtle differences in their stances on the extent of prosecution reform?are now accelerating their efforts, with President Lee Jaemyung's press conference marking his 30th day in office serving as a turning point. President Lee's remarks that "prosecution reform is a kind of self-inflicted consequence" and that "it seems possible to establish the framework for prosecution reform before Chuseok" are being interpreted as lending support to the ruling party's blueprint for prosecution reform.

The Democratic Party's floor leadership has decided to establish a prosecution reform task force within the party and to begin full-fledged legislative discussions on prosecution reform during the extraordinary session of the National Assembly starting on the 7th. Kim Byungki, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, reportedly stated an intention to complete prosecution reform legislation within three months. In response, Moon Jinseok, chief deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, explained to reporters on the 4th that "all reforms are most efficient and effective when completed within three months, based on our experience."

Ruling party members of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee introduced the "four prosecution reform bills" at the committee's plenary session the previous day. That same afternoon, Justice Minister nominee Jung Sungho, a key pro-Lee figure, was photographed by the National Assembly press corps typing the phrase "If we are to proceed with prosecution reform, let's do it swiftly and preemptively" into his mobile phone in the main chamber of the National Assembly. Even Jung, who had previously taken a more moderate stance by adjusting the pace of prosecution reform, appears to have shifted to a rapid approach in response to President Lee's signal.

The Democratic Party also plans to hold a public hearing on prosecution reform on the 9th. It is highly likely that the discussions from the hearing will be reflected in the subsequent legislative process.