With the Forced Passage of the Amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office and the Opposition's Full-Scale Struggle... Frozen Political Climate

Lee Nak-yeon "The Launch of the Corruption Investigation Office Must Not Be Delayed Any Longer"
Joo Ho-young "Appointment of a Corruption Investigation Office Chief Who Is Not Like a Chief Must Be Blocked"

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader, are attending the expanded executive meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Following the Democratic Party of Korea's announcement to push forward with the amendment of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) Act, calls for 'full-scale struggle' have emerged within the People Power Party, rapidly cooling the political climate. Attention is focused on whether the leadership of both parties can resolve the complex aftermath of the PCC Act amendment through a meeting.

On the 20th, Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged at an expanded party executive meeting held at the National Assembly, "We must no longer keep waiting for the launch of the PCC. I ask the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to gather the wisdom of its members and handle it according to the National Assembly Act procedures." This reiterated his determination to amend the PCC Act.

On the other hand, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, expressed a strong reaction regarding the recommendation of the PCC chief candidate, saying, "I don't know whether to criticize or curse to feel better," and "If I think about it, I want to use harsh words." He added, "No matter what happens, we will not tolerate the reckless amendment of the law to appoint a PCC chief who is not a proper PCC chief to suit their preferences, and we will definitely stop it."

For now, a floor leaders' meeting to discuss this issue is scheduled for the 23rd. The People Power Party held a party meeting the day before and agreed to propose reconsidering the recommendation of the PCC chief candidate from scratch at the floor leaders' meeting. However, the ruling party is not prepared to accept this easily. Shin Dong-geun, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party and member of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said, "Even if negotiations take place later, that is a separate matter. We will not delay the amendment of the law while waiting for that."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Lee Jong-bae, chairman of the Policy Committee, are attending the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Meanwhile, some within the People Power Party are raising the need for a full-scale struggle against the ruling party. Jeong Jin-seok, the most senior member of the People Power Party, stated on his Facebook on the same day, "There is widespread criticism that the main opposition party is too powerless and lacks presence," and urged, "Let's completely readjust the party's course." He added, "We can no longer just watch their unilateral actions and the destruction of people's livelihoods. Our party's stance toward the Moon Jae-in administration must be comprehensively reconsidered," and "We must completely readjust our party's course on how to stop the Moon administration's reckless actions and tyranny."

Assemblyman Jang Je-won also argued on the same day, "The time has come to abandon the National Assembly. The time for a full-scale struggle to save a lawless country is approaching," urging the leadership to make a decisive move.

However, there are also voices saying that while engaging in struggle, negotiations should be pursued at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee level. Even if the chief is appointed to suit the ruling party's preferences, efforts should be made within the standing committee to reduce the PCC's authority as much as possible. Currently, a bill to amend the PCC Act (led by Assemblyman Yoo Sang-beom), which excludes job-related crimes from the PCC's investigation targets and removes prosecutors' indictment rights, is pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. For now, the ruling party plans to review this amendment together with their own party members' proposals.

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