People Power Party Walks Out in Protest, Calling Process "Hasty"
Includes Establishment of Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and Prosecution Service
On September 22, the National Assembly's Administrative Safety Committee held a plenary session and passed the amendment to the Government Organization Act. While lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea and the Rebuilding Korea Party voted in favor, members of the People Power Party protested the amendment process as being rushed and left the chamber as the voting proceeded.
During the plenary session, the committee approved the amendment to the Government Organization Act. The amendment includes the separation of the prosecution's investigative and indictment functions, establishing the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Service; splitting the Ministry of Economy and Finance into the Planning and Budget Office and the Ministry of Finance and Economy; transferring domestic financial functions (including the Financial Intelligence Unit) from the Financial Services Commission to the Ministry of Finance and Economy; and reorganizing the Financial Services Commission into the Financial Supervisory Commission to oversee financial supervision. Additionally, the amendment covers the establishment of the Ministry of Climate, Energy, and Environment, the abolition of the Korea Communications Commission and the creation of the Broadcasting, Media, and Communications Commission, the renaming and restructuring of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, and the reinstatement of the Deputy Prime Minister for Science and Technology.
The issue of abolishing the prosecution office was a major topic during the plenary session. National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Hoeyoung (People Power Party) said, "There are 2,300 prosecutors and 11,000 staff members at the prosecution office. If the prosecution office is abolished, where will these people go?" He continued, "What will happen to their positions, and what will they do? For those who do not transfer to the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency, will they have to find other jobs?" Vice Speaker Joo also raised concerns about space for the Prosecution Service and the abolition of the Korea Communications Commission, stating, "I can say with certainty that this situation will be just like the medical school quota issue under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration."
On the 22nd, at the plenary meeting of the Administrative Safety Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, lawmakers including Seo Beomsoo, the opposition whip from the People Power Party, protested to Chairman Shin Jeonghun about the closure of the debate ahead of the resolution on the partial amendment to the Government Organization Act. Photo by Yonhap News Agency
Lee Sungkwon, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, remarked, "Changing the Government Organization Act is about the lives and livelihoods of the people, so shouldn't there at least be a hearing for stakeholders?" He added, "It is the National Assembly's role to facilitate open and inclusive discussions, so why are we not doing that?" Lee also pointed out, "Wasn't it because of this approach that the Democratic Party criticized the Yoon Suk-yeol administration? Why are we repeating the same mistakes?"
On the other hand, Lee Haesik, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, explained, "The Government Organization Act amendment was thoroughly discussed by the National Policy Planning Committee for a month and a half." He added, "In particular, regarding the separation of the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency and the Prosecution Service, more than ten mid-career legal professionals, including four incumbent prosecutors, as well as expert and planning committee members, participated in detailed discussions and simulations." He continued, "A pan-government task force will further refine the plan during a one-year grace period to prevent side effects and ensure that there is no harm to the public, so please trust the process."
Right before the vote, the People Power Party pointed out that the content brought to the plenary session was significantly different from what had been reviewed in the bill subcommittee. In response, the committee's expert advisor explained, "Before leaving work on the 19th, we reviewed the subcommittee materials and prepared alternatives. Over the weekend, working-level staff reviewed 628 supplementary provisions to correct typos and adjust references." He added, "The supplementary provisions do not change the substance of the bill, but address adjustments to the full text and correct citation issues."
After Chairman Shin Jeonghun concluded the debate and proceeded to the vote, People Power Party lawmakers left the chamber and held a press conference in front of the plenary hall. Seo Beomsoo, the People Power Party whip on the committee, stated, "The Democratic Party seems to be rushing to meet the September 25 deadline, pushing through the Government Organization Act amendment like a military operation." He urged, "We call for a serious and in-depth discussion on the reorganization of the Government Organization Act from the perspective of the people."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
