Joo Hoeyoung Hints at Early Return to Assembly Next Week... Ahn Cheolsoo Criticizes "CIO Act"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporters Lee Jieun and Lim Chunhan] After the breakdown of negotiations over the formation of parliamentary committees with the Democratic Party of Korea, the United Future Party, which has consistently maintained a "boycott," is now considering returning to the National Assembly as early as next week, citing issues such as the hasty review of the supplementary budget.

On the morning of July 2, United Future Party Floor Leader Joo Hoeyoung met with reporters after an emergency meeting of the party's emergency response committee. When asked whether the party would return to the Assembly next week, he replied, "It will likely be around that time," adding, "We will determine the specific date depending on how the situation unfolds." This suggests that a return to the Assembly could happen as early as next week.

Previously, on July 1, Floor Leader Joo appeared on KBS News 9 and strongly hinted at a return to the Assembly, stating, "Even if we are trampled on and slapped in the face, we will turn back and do our jobs as lawmakers seriously and diligently, so we will return soon." However, he dismissed speculation about committee assignments, saying, "If the Democratic Party says it will return the standing committees, that would be nothing but mockery," and emphasized that the party intends to compete by developing policies for the people.

In addition, Floor Leader Joo stressed that the party would soon decide whether to propose the dismissal or impeachment of Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae. He said, "I am utterly appalled that a minister can so brazenly and violently attack the Prosecutor General in broad daylight," adding, "There are many in the party who believe Minister Choo should be held accountable through impeachment, so we will soon decide whether to submit a motion for dismissal or to pursue impeachment."

He continued, "The Democratic Party's tyranny and recklessness have gone too far. They passed three supplementary budgets in a single year, totaling 35 trillion won, and reviewed them in less than two hours," criticizing the rushed review of the supplementary budget. This was aimed at the ruling party's unilateral and hasty review of the third supplementary budget in a single day, after forming standing committees without the participation of the United Future Party due to its boycott.

He pointed out, "What is even more outrageous is that, under the pretext of urgency due to COVID-19, Democratic Party lawmakers shamelessly inserted as much as 370 billion won in local district projects into the supplementary budget. Even excluding the funds related to disease prevention, the amount still reaches 357 billion won."

Floor Leader Joo stated, "Although we were trampled on and subjected to tyranny by the Democratic Party, we still intended to actively participate in the review of the supplementary budget as representatives of the people. However, the Democratic Party, which is obliged to follow the presidential order to finish by July 3, refused even this," adding, "The people should remember how the Democratic Party blamed its policy failures on COVID-19, borrowed against our children's future, and failed to properly review the budget."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People Party, strongly criticized the Democratic Party regarding the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act on July 2, stating, "Don't even dream of amending the CIO Act." He added, "If the ruling party amends the CIO Act to strip the opposition of its right to recommend candidates for public office and appoints figures who serve the administration, this will be an unforgivable crime that will go down in history as a destruction of parliament and democracy."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, Ahn said, "Once the supplementary budget passes, it will be time for the CIO Act," and added, "The ruling party leader is already talking about amending the law," reiterating his strong stance.

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