DP Postpones Judiciary Committee Review of 'Comprehensive, Unification Church Special Prosecutor Bills' Considering President Lee's Visits to China and Japan

On January 5, the Democratic Party of Korea decided to postpone the full session of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which was scheduled to process the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill and the Unification Church special prosecutor bill, in consideration of President Lee Jaemyung's state visit to China.

National Assembly Building, Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

Kim Hyunjung, the party's spokesperson for the National Assembly, stated during a briefing at the National Assembly's press center that "although we initially planned to discuss the second comprehensive special prosecutor bill and the Unification Church special prosecutor bill in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee before January 8, the committee chair and its members concluded that convening the committee while President Lee is on a state visit to China would not be appropriate."

Originally, the Democratic Party had planned to hold the committee's full session from January 5 to 7 to pass these special prosecutor bills and then process them at the plenary session on January 8.

However, the party leadership appears to have determined that processing controversial bills in the National Assembly during the president's visit to China could heighten political conflict and place a burden on diplomatic activities.

President Lee is scheduled to visit Japan next week following his trip to China this week, with a series of overseas visits lined up. As a result, the plenary session is now likely to be held in mid to late January, after his return.

Spokesperson Kim further explained, "The date for the committee meeting has not been set yet. Since the president is currently visiting China and will soon visit Japan, the schedule will be adjusted accordingly. Considering President Lee's visits to China and Japan, it is highly likely that the session will be postponed until mid or late January."