[Exclusive] Democratic Party Decides to Amend the Corruption Investigation Office Act... "Can No Longer Wait for the United Future Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea has finally decided to propose a revision bill for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act. The ruling party has concluded that it can no longer wait as the United Future Party continues to refrain from recommending candidates for the HCIO chief recommendation committee.

Baek Hye-ryun, the ruling party's floor whip on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Legislation Committee), said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 2nd, "Although final discussions are necessary, since the deadline proposed by the Speaker of the National Assembly has passed, we have no choice but to officially talk about proposing the (HCIO Act revision) bill," adding, "The Legislation Committee and the party leadership will discuss and decide on the contents of the bill."

On August 21, Speaker Park Byeong-seok sent an official letter to the United Future Party requesting that they recommend candidates for the HCIO chief recommendation committee before the opening ceremony of the regular National Assembly session (September 1). Democratic Party members of the Legislation Committee, including Baek, also set the end of last month as the deadline. Baek firmly stated, "We can no longer wait."

It is expected that measures such as completely removing the opposition party's authority to recommend HCIO chief candidates or granting the authority to other opposition parties outside the United Future Party will be considered.

According to the HCIO Act, the HCIO chief candidate recommendation committee should consist of seven members: the Minister of Justice, the Chief of the Court Administration, the President of the Korean Bar Association, two members recommended by the ruling party, and two members from opposition negotiation groups. However, the United Future Party maintains its position that it cannot make recommendations until the Constitutional Court issues a ruling on the constitutional complaint against the HCIO Act. Instead, they have counterattacked by proposing to start the recommendation process for the Blue House Special Inspection Officer position, which has been vacant for four years. Recently, they have also called for the formation of a special judicial oversight committee, claiming that "the prosecution has become the property of the regime." The legally stipulated deadline for the HCIO's launch was July 15, which has already passed by more than a month and a half.

Kim Jong-min, a senior member of the Democratic Party on the Legislation Committee, urged the United Future Party again during the meeting on the same day, saying, "Every day counts," but the possibility of the United Future Party suddenly changing its stance and accepting the request appears very low.

On August 30, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, criticized Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon on Facebook, saying, "They are threatening to amend the HCIO Act, which grants the opposition party veto power over the HCIO chief, without even trying to implement it. This is an unreasonable and power-showing act that does not suit mature parliamentary democracy."

Nevertheless, it is believed that the United Future Party has already internally selected its recommendation committee members. It is understood that they have prepared cards to play at the time when the HCIO Act is revised and the opposition party's veto power is expected to be completely eliminated.

On August 27, Joo appeared on MBC Radio and said, "We are not unprepared for recommending candidates in various scenarios." When asked if this meant they were ready to present candidates at any time depending on the situation, he replied, "It is difficult to speak strategically."

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