People Power Party Vows All-Out Opposition to CIO Act Revision... Possibility of National Assembly Boycott Raised

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy, reporter Lim Chunhan] On November 22, the People Power Party announced its intention to make every effort to block the Democratic Party's move to revise the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act. If the Democratic Party pushes ahead with the legislative amendment, there is also the possibility that the People Power Party may boycott the National Assembly.

In a statement released that day, spokesperson Bae Joonyoung said, "The ruling party should carefully consider whether the reckless acceleration of the CIO is truly an urgent matter that warrants halting the National Assembly," and added, "If they intend to overturn the table, the People Power Party will do everything in its power to block it."

Spokesperson Bae criticized, "Last winter, the government and the ruling party passed the CIO Act using all sorts of unreasonable methods, such as the fast-track process. The only justification they promised the opposition was the guarantee of veto power. Now, because things are not going their way due to that veto power, they are saying they will change the law and roll out the red carpet for the CIO."

Floor leader Joo Hoeyoung also stated on Facebook that day, "The Moon Jae-in administration is threatening to launch a 'military operation' to revise the CIO Act," and warned, "They will face public resistance."

Joo further pointed out, "If this monstrous CIO is launched, even if cases involving powerful figures in the Blue House or key government positions who illegally profit from their authority come to light, the CIO can simply take over the cases and that will be the end of it. It will become a dumping ground and final disposal site for corruption involving those in power." He added, "It is clear that someone even more unreasonably loyal than Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae will be appointed as the head of the CIO."

Representative Jeon Juhae also wrote on Facebook that day, "Two constitutional complaints challenging the unconstitutionality of the CIO Act were filed in February and May of this year. The Constitutional Court has yet to deliver a decision," and stressed, "If the CIO is launched and then the law is found unconstitutional, it will cause enormous confusion. The Constitutional Court must not delay its decision any longer."

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