Democracy Trying to Run and Korea's Long Road Ahead... Prosecutors Catching Up

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Kang Nahum] The 21st general election is now 100 days away as of the 6th. With the year-end passage of the revised election law and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gongsoocheo) Act through the National Assembly, both ruling and opposition parties have entered full election mode. Especially, this general election is expected to be held amid unprecedented turmoil, and the election impact stemming from the prosecution reform controversy is also anticipated to be significant, drawing close attention.

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) is evaluated to have gained points by successfully pushing through the fast-track (rapid processing agenda) bills despite fierce opposition from the Liberty Korea Party (LKP) through consultations with some opposition parties. The party also enjoys stability, as there are no major internal variables such as defections by former Ahn Cheol-soo faction lawmakers. However, the prosecution is continuing intense investigations related to so-called 'Blue House-directed investigations' and 'cover-ups of inspections,' making it difficult to predict how much damage the party might suffer going forward.

The LKP is on the defensive due to a lack of political skill and leadership responsibility revealed during the fast-track bill passage process. Although it has raised the banner of conservative unification, integration with the Yoo Seung-min faction remains uncertain. The prosecution's mass indictments last April related to the fast-track clashes are a 'fire on the stove.'

The moves of the two major party presidential contenders, Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon and LKP leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, are symbolic. On the 3rd, Prime Minister Lee appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I will do anything if the party asks," expressing willingness not only to run in the Jongno district but also to serve as the election campaign committee chairman. Regarding a direct contest with Hwang, he reiterated his resolve, saying, "I am neither pleased nor able to avoid it."

On the other hand, Leader Hwang has yet to decide his position. At a press conference on the 1st, when asked if he would run in Jongno, he said, "I can go anywhere," but avoided a direct answer, stating, "It is not appropriate to discuss a contest with a specific person here." The possibility of running as a proportional representative also remains.

The DPK is boosting momentum by announcing a series of recruited talents, including Professor Choi Hye-young, a woman with disabilities; Won Jong-geon, a man in his 20s whose mother regained sight through corneal donation; and former Army General Kim Byung-joo, who served as deputy commander of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command. The recruitment of Judge Lee Soo-jin, who exposed judicial corruption allegations, is also becoming a foregone conclusion. Meanwhile, in line with government real estate policies, the party announced a policy the day before requiring candidates owning multiple houses in speculative areas to sell all but their primary residence. Despite criticism from some quarters that this infringes on property rights, the party's insistence is interpreted as a sign of confidence.

The LKP has decided to fully allow re-entry of figures wishing to rejoin as part of conservative grand unification. The New Conservative Party of the Yoo Seung-min faction also stated, "The door to dialogue is open." However, the key issue is how to narrow the gap in views on the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. The 'hardline right-wing' Our Republican Party has expressed that it cannot cooperate with those who initiated the impeachment.

Overall, while the DPK is moving swiftly, the LKP appears to be taking slower steps due to various intertwined circumstances.

Prosecution indictments have emerged as the biggest variable in this general election. Even if candidates win, they may have to relinquish their seats if their sentences are finalized later. However, the LKP's election planning team stated, "According to the LKP's party constitution and regulations, candidates are excluded from nomination only if they receive a prison sentence in the first trial, but not merely due to prosecution indictments," drawing a line against future nomination confusion.

Floor leader Shim Jae-cheol criticized at the party strategy meeting that day, "The prosecution announced investigation results that seem to be watching the Blue House and the regime," adding, "While our party had 24 mass indictments, only five from the DPK were indicted, and their charges are light. It is obviously biased."

The DPK is equally taken aback. From their perspective, this indictment can be seen as backlash against ruling party-led prosecution reforms such as the Gongsoocheo and adjustments to prosecution and police investigative powers. The timing of the indictment list announcement coinciding with the start of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae's term, who has shown strong will for prosecution reform, is interpreted in the same context.

The confrontation between the ruling party and the prosecution is expected to sharpen further before the general election. The prosecution still holds the key to potentially fatal issues for the ruling party, such as interference in the Ulsan mayoral election and suspicions involving former Justice Minister Cho Kuk's family. Some even analyze that this general election is essentially a battle between the DPK and the prosecution. A political insider analyzed, "In local public opinion and various polls where the DPK is ahead of the LKP, the DPK's most significant opponent will effectively be the prosecution."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.