Ruling and Opposition Parties Agree on Amendments to Three Major Special Prosecutor Laws... Essential Personnel to Be Added Without Further Extension of Investigation Period

Fewer Than 10 Additional Investigators Expected per Special Prosecutor
'Insurrection Trial' Broadcasts to Be Allowed Conditionally

The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party have agreed not to further extend the investigation period for the three special prosecutors (Insurrection, Kim Keonhee, Fallen Marine) and to increase the number of investigators only as necessary. The People Power Party has also agreed to cooperate in passing legislation to establish the Financial Supervisory Commission, which is a key part of the Lee Jaemyung administration's government reorganization plan.

Kim Byungki, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, announced this agreement after their meeting at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 10th. As a result, some provisions of the special prosecutor amendment bills, which had been led by the Democratic Party, will be relaxed. Previously, the Democratic Party had pushed for amendments in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee to allow the Insurrection and Kim Keonhee special prosecutors to extend their investigation periods from the current maximum of 150 days to 180 days, and the Fallen Marine special prosecutor from 120 days to 150 days, adding 30 days to each.

The People Power Party pointed out that extending the period for special prosecutor investigations, which have not yet concluded, would be excessive. In response, the Democratic Party agreed to remove the provision allowing the special prosecutor to unilaterally extend the investigation period by an additional 30 days at their discretion. Yoo Sangbeom, chief deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said in a briefing, "The period will remain as stipulated in the existing special prosecutor law." Moon Jinseok, chief deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, also explained, "We have agreed that there is no particular need to extend the investigation period."

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Kim Byung-ki and People Power Party floor leader Song Eon-seok are meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

The two sides agreed that, regarding the provision to increase the number of special prosecutor investigators by dozens, only the necessary personnel will be added. This is a compromise between the People Power Party's demand to significantly reduce the number of investigators and the special prosecutor's demand to greatly increase them. Moon explained, "We cannot accept all the personnel requested by the special prosecutor; only those deemed absolutely necessary will be added." Yoo commented, "It is unlikely that the number of additional special prosecutor investigators will exceed 10." According to the People Power Party, this means that fewer than 10 additional investigators may be added for each special prosecutor, with a total of fewer than 30 across all three special prosecutors if necessary.

The two parties also reached a consensus to allow conditional, rather than mandatory, live broadcasting of the so-called insurrection trial, which was one of the main points of contention in the special prosecutor law amendment bill. Moon stated, "The Supreme Court has raised legal concerns about mandatory broadcasting," adding, "We have agreed that the presiding judge may decide not to allow broadcasting if there are serious concerns about harming national security or public order."

The parties also agreed to remove the provision that would allow the special prosecutor to direct the National Investigation Headquarters after the special investigation period ends. Furthermore, the Democratic Party has agreed to cooperate in appointing People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyungwon as secretary of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Previously, Democratic Party member Choo Mi-ae, who chairs the committee, had refused to put Na's appointment up for a vote, leading to disputes between the two parties.

Regarding government reorganization, the People Power Party has agreed to actively cooperate in establishing the Financial Supervisory Commission, which falls under the jurisdiction of a standing committee chaired by a party member. Yoo stated, "We will provide maximum cooperation for the Financial Supervisory Commission establishment bill, and we do not oppose the new government's reorganization efforts during the committee discussions," adding, "However, we believe the reorganization should be reasonable and improve efficiency."

The Democratic Party plans to revise and pass the three special prosecutor amendment bills at the plenary session on the 11th. The People Power Party, instead of launching a filibuster to block the passage of the bills, will express its opposition to the amendments during the plenary session.

Meanwhile, the motion to arrest People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Seongdong is also expected to be put to a vote at the plenary session on the 11th. Kwon has publicly declared to party leaders from both sides that he will waive his parliamentary immunity during the session, even though he regards the investigation against him as a "politically motivated investigation."