Clashes Erupt from the Outset of the Plenary Session
The Democratic Party of Korea, which is driving forward prosecution reform, held a related public hearing at the plenary session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee on September 4. From the very beginning of the session, there were heated exchanges between members of the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea.
On the 4th, at the Public Hearing on Prosecutorial Reform held by the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, People Power Party members Juntae Park and Seokjun Song requested a procedural statement from Chairwoman Mi-ae Chu. Photo by Hyunmin Kim
The Legislation and Judiciary Committee convened a plenary session that morning, where officials from the Ministry of Justice and other government agencies, as well as legal professionals, attended a legislative public hearing on prosecution reform.
From the start of the meeting, committee members from both parties clashed over the appointment of Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party as secretary.
When the People Power Party repeatedly demanded that Assemblywoman Na be appointed as secretary, Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee responded, "Assemblywoman Na's remarks telling first-term members to 'just sit quietly, you don't know anything' have damaged the dignity of the National Assembly and the honor of her colleagues." She insisted that Assemblywoman Na must first apologize for her comments. However, Assemblywoman Na was absent from the committee due to the People Power Party's response to a special prosecutor's search and seizure.
Amid criticism from the Democratic Party of Korea that "dodging responsibility has become a habit," Chairwoman Chu said, "What are we supposed to do if the secretary just leaves the meeting room?" Ultimately, the appointment of Assemblywoman Na as secretary did not take place.
On the 4th, Chu Mi-ae, the chair of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is striking the gavel at the plenary session. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
The confrontation between the two parties continued during the legislative public hearing on prosecution reform that followed.
At the hearing, speakers recommended by both parties presented their views on key issues in the prosecution reform bills, including the abolition of the prosecution service, the establishment of a public prosecution office and a central investigation agency following the separation of investigation and indictment functions, and the creation and operation of a National Investigation Committee. The Democratic Party of Korea recommended Professor Dongho Yoon of Kookmin University and attorney Dongsu Han as speakers, while the People Power Party recommended Professor Jina Cha of Korea University and attorney Jongmin Kim. Vice Minister of Justice Jinsoo Lee and Director of Organization at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety Changgyu Lee were also present.
During his testimony, attorney Han stated, "The prosecution in our country was a remnant of Japanese colonial rule, and even after liberation, it did not serve the people but continued to operate as a prosecution for the prosecution's sake. It has enjoyed many privileges and benefits and has ruled society through investigations."
He continued, "President Roh Moo-hyun died during the prosecution's investigation. We all remember the scene of him stepping off the bus at the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-dong. In contrast, Prosecutor General Yoon Suk-yeol privatized prosecutorial power and became president, and when he could no longer cover up corruption and crime, he carried out the illegal 12·3 martial law."
He added, "We remember President Yoon walking out of the Seoul Detention Center surrounded by armed security guards. This was not merely the deviation of Prosecutor Yoon as an individual, but the culmination of the prosecution's long-standing structural contradictions."
In response, People Power Party members Park Joon-tae, Song Seok-jun, and Na Kyung-won shouted and caused a commotion in protest. Chairwoman Chu Mi-ae warned, "You must not disrupt the speaker's testimony. As members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, you must maintain dignity." Attorney Han replied, "Although the three of you from the People Power Party are all members of the National Assembly, I am here as a citizen exercising my right to testify. The three of you are not above me in this setting."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
