National Assembly Judiciary Committee Rejects On-Site Inspection for Yangpyeong Official
People Power Party Proposes Special Prosecutor Act Targeting Min Junggi Team
On October 13, the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee put to a vote whether to conduct an on-site inspection regarding the death of a Yangpyeong County Office official, who died by suicide while being investigated by Special Prosecutor Min Junggi (Min Junggi Special Prosecutor). The motion was ultimately rejected.
During the National Assembly audit of the Supreme Court and other institutions that day, the committee tabled a plan for an on-site inspection to uncover the truth behind the Yangpyeong County official's death. However, the motion was voted down, led by the Democratic Party of Korea. A request for additional witness attendance was approved, but witnesses related to the Yangpyeong County official were excluded.
Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party who has been nominated as the committee secretary, submitted a petition calling for the adoption of the on-site inspection plan to investigate the circumstances of the Yangpyeong County official's death, which she claims resulted from coercive investigation by the Min Junggi special prosecutor team.
The intent was for the committee to visit the Min Junggi special prosecutor team's investigation room and related sites, and to directly review video, audio, and documentary records of the Yangpyeong County official's investigation process. The committee also requested the additional attendance of 16 witnesses related to the death of the Yangpyeong County official, including Min Junggi and his team.
Na argued, "This case is essentially a murder of a public official through coercive investigation," adding, "If the Democratic Party believes the Min Junggi special prosecutor did nothing wrong, there is no reason to oppose an on-site inspection or similar measures."
Kwak Gyutaek, another People Power Party lawmaker, stated, "In this case, there is even clear documentation indicating coercion," and emphasized, "It is the committee’s obligation to review CCTV footage and the suicide note to determine whether any illegal acts occurred."
In response, Park Kyuntaek of the Democratic Party of Korea remarked, "This is the first time in my life I have heard that a special prosecutor is subject to a parliamentary audit," and questioned, "During the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, many suspects died by suicide and there were numerous criticisms of human rights violations, but those who remained silent then are now suddenly raising human rights issues."
Park Eunjeong of the Rebuilding Korea Party also criticized, "The People Power Party’s attitude is an attempt to politicize the investigation and obstruct the Min Junggi special prosecutor, who is investigating Kim Keonhee."
Meanwhile, the People Power Party introduced a special prosecutor law targeting the Min Junggi special prosecutor team on the same day. This followed the party’s decision to adopt the proposal as its official position during a morning general assembly meeting.
Choi Eunseok, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, along with Park Sumin and Seo Jiyeong, submitted the "Special Prosecutor Act for Investigating the Truth Behind the Death of a Yangpyeong County Official Due to Coercive Investigation by Special Prosecutor Min Junggi" to the National Assembly’s bill office.
Chief spokesperson Choi stated, "The Min Junggi special prosecutor subjected the deceased to humiliation and contempt during the investigation, leading to their death," and added, "We will do our utmost to thoroughly investigate all illegalities that occurred during the investigation process."
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