Ruling and Opposition Parties to Hold Final Talks on Corruption Investigation Office Today... Will They Find a Compromise?

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd via video conference and delivered opening remarks. On this day, the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting was held virtually due to Lee's self-quarantine. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The ruling and opposition floor leaders will meet on the 23rd to negotiate over the recommendation of the candidate for the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

According to political circles, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, will hold a regular meeting chaired by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok on the day. The main agenda of the meeting is the recommendation of the CIO head candidate.

The Democratic Party plans to pass a revision bill to the Corruption Investigation Office Act that removes the opposition party's veto power at the plenary session on the 2nd of next month, along with the budget bill for the next year, if negotiations break down at the meeting. The People Power Party is expected to launch an all-out blockade, including boycotting the National Assembly and street protests.

Both parties engaged in sharp verbal exchanges from the morning ahead of the negotiations. Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "The monster CIO is a dumping ground for power-type corruption," referring to the previous day's remarks by floor leader Joo, calling it "reckless remarks" and expressing "disappointment at the opposition party's persistent obstruction."

He said, "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee should handle the revision bill to the Corruption Investigation Office Act according to the National Assembly Act procedures," and added, "Please complete legislation for fairness, justice, and the future without hesitation."

Floor leader Kim also said at the meeting, "Opposition party recommended members opposed all candidates recommended by neutral organizations such as the Korean Bar Association and the Court Administration," adding, "If the opposition party continues like this, the situation will not improve even if the recommendation is made ten times."

He emphasized, "Today's floor leaders' meeting is the last chance to launch the CIO through bipartisan agreement," and "If there is no change in the People Power Party's attitude, I clearly state once again that the Democratic Party will have no choice but to revise the Corruption Investigation Office Act."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, floor leader Joo said at the emergency countermeasure meeting, "The purpose of this law is to continue until a candidate agreed upon by the opposition party comes out (in the CIO head candidate recommendation committee)," and "We must not forget that this was originally designed by the Democratic Party of Korea." He pointed out, "There are constitutional issues with the Corruption Investigation Office Act, and it is a law unilaterally passed by the Democratic Party," adding, "Not even a single article of the law reflects our party's opinion."

From a realistic perspective, some speculate that the People Power Party might step back. If the opposition party is completely excluded from recommending the CIO head candidate, there is a risk that only candidates favorable to the ruling party will be selected as the final candidates. It is analyzed that the People Power Party will likely promise to ensure recommendations are made to at least bring a neutral figure as the final candidate.

There is also a possibility of an agreement due to the political burden the Democratic Party would bear. If the Democratic Party pushes through the bill unilaterally despite the People Power Party's all-out blockade, public opinion could worsen significantly. There are concerns that this could also considerably affect the by-elections in April next year.

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