Jeong Cheongrae Writes "Eradicate Rebellion Forces" in May 18 Democratic Cemetery Guestbook
Party Headquarters Accelerates Prosecutorial Reform and Prepares for Party-Government-Presidential Office Consultations
Preparations for Local Elections Seen as Strategic Move Ahead of Cho Kuk's Possible Pardon
The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea visited Honam, the party's core political base, to strengthen support among local voters. Some observers view this as a strategic move aimed at the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 next year. In the current situation where the possibility of a pardon and reinstatement for former Cho Kuk Innovation Party leader Cho Kuk is being discussed, this visit is also seen as a response to potential changes in the political landscape. The Cho Kuk Innovation Party is expected to compete with the Democratic Party in Honam and the Seoul metropolitan area in next year's local elections.
On the morning of August 8, Representative Jeong Cheongrae paid tribute at the National May 18th Democratic Cemetery in Buk-gu, Gwangju. In the visitor's book at the cemetery, Jeong wrote, "In accordance with the wishes of the spirits of Gwangju, we will eradicate the forces of rebellion in the Republic of Korea according to the law." The Democratic Party also held its first regional on-site Supreme Council meeting at the South Jeolla Provincial Party office in Muan, South Jeolla Province. After the Supreme Council meeting, the party visited flood-affected areas and temporary shelters in Muan County, South Jeolla Province, and held a meeting with residents affected by the disaster.
This visit to Honam took place as the Liberation Day pardon and reinstatement were imminent. While some within and outside the ruling bloc have reacted favorably to the idea of pardoning and reinstating former leader Cho Kuk, the outlook for the local elections remains complex. When the Democratic Party candidate lost to the Cho Kuk Innovation Party candidate in the Damyang County mayoral by-election last April, some interpreted it as a preview of a seismic shift in Honam politics. Although the Democratic Party and the Cho Kuk Innovation Party are aligned on major political issues, they are inevitably rivals in elections.
The Democratic Party appears intent on maintaining its leadership in the political landscape by accelerating the pace of prosecutorial reform, as demanded by progressive supporters. The party’s Special Committee on Prosecutorial Normalization has set August 26 as the date to finalize its prosecutorial reform bill and is increasing communication with relevant government bodies, including the party-government-presidential office consultative body. Early next week, the committee will hold a meeting with field experts?including lawyers, police officers, prosecutors, and officials from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials?based on the draft proposal it has prepared. Min Hyungbae, chair of the special committee, explained, "This is to determine whether the proposal prepared by the committee can be practically applied in the field."
The special committee is preparing a prosecutorial reform bill that would abolish the prosecution’s investigative authority and completely separate investigation and indictment functions. It is currently refining legislation to divide the functions and powers of the Prosecutors’ Office among the Public Prosecution Service, the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, the National Investigation Committee, and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials. The direction of the special committee’s prosecutorial reform bill is said to be consistent with the proposal previously prepared by the parliamentary prosecutorial reform task force.
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