Low Chance of Lime·Optimus Special Prosecutor... Democratic Party Says "It Will Drag On Until March-April Next Year"

On the morning of the 22nd, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Kwon Eun-hee, member of the People Party, submitted a bill to the National Assembly Secretariat regarding the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the Lime and Optimus fund financial fraud damages and allegations of a power-type corruption gate.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The possibility of a special prosecutor investigation into the Lime and Optimus cases, demanded by the People Power Party, has become slim. This is because the Democratic Party of Korea clearly stated that a special prosecutor investigation, which takes several months, is not appropriate.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, and Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, held a meeting to discuss the special prosecutor investigation. The meeting was held at the request of Floor Leader Joo.

Kim Young-jin, the deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said in a briefing, "The investigation has progressed considerably, and it is a priority to conduct a thorough and swift investigation to reveal the substantial truth to the public and punish regardless of party status." He added, "Since speed is crucial, it is not appropriate to open a special prosecutor investigation amid concerns such as evidence destruction and escape by the suspects if we delay further."

He emphasized that the current prosecution investigation team has been significantly reinforced, and given the progress of the investigation, it is necessary to proceed consistently. He also pointed out that a special prosecutor investigation would require time for passing the bill, consultations between parties, forming the special prosecutor team, and investigation. "The investigation results would come out around March or April next year, so it is not a situation where the investigation can be prolonged that much," he said.

Regarding the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongu-cheo), the Democratic Party once again requested the People Power Party to recommend candidates for the Gongu-cheo chief recommendation committee by the 26th, when the National Assembly audit ends. Deputy Floor Leader Kim said, "Accordingly, the Democratic Party will simultaneously proceed with recommending candidates for the Special Inspector General and directors of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation as promised."

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