Woo Wonsik: "No Makeshift Prosecutorial Reform... Choo Kyungho Requested to 'Open National Assembly Doors' on Martial Law Day"

Woo Wonsik and Kang Hunsik Stress Seamless Prosecutorial Reform
Speaker Woo Outlines Conditions for Launching Constitutional Amendment Committee
Emphasizes Public Rights and Careful Approach to Major Policy Changes

On August 20, Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Wonsik commented on prosecutorial reform, stating, "Because this issue is directly linked to people's lives, it should not be addressed with makeshift measures. It needs to be thoroughly organized so that public inconvenience is minimized, and, in fact, the rights of the people are strengthened while prosecutorial authority is properly designed."

Appearing on the YouTube program "Jang Yunseon's Press Convenience Store" that day, Speaker Woo said, "Prosecutorial authority must be properly structured and finalized so that it is not abused and so that citizens' human rights are respected."

Kang Hunsik, Chief Presidential Secretary, also addressed prosecutorial reform the previous day, stating, "Prosecutorial reform is a mission akin to destiny for the Lee Jaemyung administration. Since prosecutorial reform is not an issue that can be repeatedly addressed with patchwork solutions, President Lee believes it must be done properly in one go. Please understand that he has called for a careful, precise, and meticulous reform."

Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding Chief Secretary Kang's remarks, Speaker Woo said, "I believe the intention is to thoroughly review public demands and ensure that prosecutorial reform is implemented without any gaps. I also share the view that it must be seamless."

Speaker Woo also shared his thoughts on the Lee Jaemyung administration's top policy agenda, constitutional amendment. He said, "If a good outcome is reached at the first Korea-U.S. summit, and the ongoing special prosecutor's investigation yields results so that the public sees that issues such as the internal rebellion are being resolved, then I think a special committee for constitutional amendment should be established."

As for what should be included in the revised Constitution, he mentioned the inclusion of the spirit of the 5·18 Democratization Movement in the preamble, a four-year consecutive presidential term system, a runoff voting system, transferring the Board of Audit and Inspection under the National Assembly, and giving the National Assembly the authority to approve emergency martial law. He emphasized, "If it is possible to do this during next year's local elections, it would be the first constitutional amendment, but we should not try to do everything at once. We should only pursue what can be agreed upon. It is necessary to open the door to constitutional amendment."

He also gave a detailed account of his phone conversation with Choo Kyungho, then floor leader of the People Power Party, on the day of the 12·3 Martial Law. Speaker Woo explained that, considering the time it would take for lawmakers to arrive at the National Assembly, the meeting was scheduled for 1:30 a.m. on December 4. However, after martial law troops broke the windows of the main National Assembly building, it was decided to move the meeting up by 30 minutes, and he discussed this with former leader Choo by phone.

According to Speaker Woo, former leader Choo said, "The situation has changed. Since martial law troops have broken into the main building, the time will be moved up by 30 minutes." He then requested, "The doors of the National Assembly are closed, so lawmakers cannot enter. Please open the doors as Speaker of the National Assembly."

In response, Speaker Woo replied, "As a Speaker from the opposition, do you think the police would listen to me? I also had to climb over the wall to get in. Since you are from the ruling party, talk to the police and open the doors yourselves. That will be faster." When former leader Choo asked for more time, Speaker Woo said, "That is not possible," and ended the call.