To the ruling party pressuring the Corruption Investigation Office... Joo Ho-young says, "Recommend a Special Inspector"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the Democratic Party of Korea and National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok pressure the opposition to appoint a high-ranking official crime investigation office (Public Officials Corruption Investigation Office, POGO) chief recommendation committee member from the opposition quota, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, countered by saying, "Appoint the Special Inspector, which has been vacant for three years." This is interpreted as maintaining the existing stance by pointing out the 'unconstitutionality' of the POGO.

On the 25th, at the floor leaders' meeting held in the National Assembly main building, Floor Leader Joo said, "Before asking why there is an issue with the launch of the POGO, first look back at the deficiencies, unconstitutionality, procedures, and processes of this law that has been unilaterally pushed forward," emphasizing this point.

Earlier, on the 24th, Democratic Party lawmakers from the Judiciary Committee held a press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "Even on the 41st day since the enforcement of the POGO Act, not only has the POGO not been launched, but the Chief Recommendation Committee has not even been formed," and stressed, "If the United Future Party shows no visible movement by the end of August, the only thing that can be done for the launch of the POGO is to amend the law." On the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min further pressured the United Future Party by proposing an amendment to the POGO Act to change the composition of the recommendation committee from two members each from the ruling and opposition parties to four members recommended by the National Assembly.

This is not the first time the ruling party has hinted at legal amendments to apply pressure. On the 5th, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan said, "Appoint the United Future Party's recommendation committee member by the start of the August National Assembly session," adding, "Otherwise, we will come up with other measures." The recommendation committee is composed of three ex officio members and four members recommended by the negotiating groups, the Democratic Party and the United Future Party, but the appointment of the POGO chief has been delayed because the United Future Party has not appointed its opposition quota recommendation member.

The opposition has maintained the position that the POGO Act itself is unconstitutional and that they will make recommendations after the Constitutional Court's ruling on the unconstitutionality of the law. On this day as well, Floor Leader Joo pointed out the unconstitutionality and countered by saying that the Special Inspector should be appointed first. He said, "First, Speaker Park should request the Democratic Party to recommend the Special Inspector and resolve that, then demand the procedures under the POGO Act, which has been in effect for less than a month," adding, "The Special Inspector was already operated in the previous government and proved effective, and it has independence in investigating the president's relatives' corruption, so its function should be restored."

He also pointed out that although the North Korean Human Rights Foundation under the Ministry of Unification has been launched, the Democratic Party has not recommended directors, causing nearly four years of delay. Floor Leader Joo said, "The launch of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation is one of the Moon administration's 100 national tasks, but it has been neglected to the point that the North Korean Human Rights Act is becoming obsolete," and raised his voice, saying, "Sending official letters demanding the recommendation of POGO chief recommendation committee members while neglecting the recommendation of North Korean Human Rights Foundation directors and the president's Special Inspector is a typical example of shamelessness and double standards."

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