Ruling Party: "Must Pass the Corruption Investigation Office Act, National Intelligence Service Act, and Police Act by the Day After Tomorrow"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea announced on the 7th that it will definitely pass the reform bills for power institutions, including the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act, the National Intelligence Service Act, and the Police Act, at the plenary session on the 9th.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The Democratic Party will definitely pass the three power institution reform bills?the HCIO Act, the National Intelligence Service Act, and the Police Act?by the day after tomorrow's plenary session."

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Lee emphasized, "We will carry out the people's mandate. We will not yield to any persistent resistance or unjust attempts," adding, "I will take responsibility and legislate the reform of power institutions."

Regarding the final meeting between the ruling and opposition floor leaders chaired by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug that morning, Lee strongly pressured the People Power Party, saying, "If consultations fail or no agreement is reached, we will respond accordingly."

He added, "The deadline for the Sewol ferry disaster investigation ends on the 10th. To continue the thorough investigation without any sacred cows, we will also pass the amendment to the Special Act on the Investigation of the Truth about the Sewol Ferry Disaster (Sasam Act). I hope the members unite with the determination to fulfill their historical mission and stake everything."

Floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon also emphasized, "The Democratic Party has done its best for the launch of the HCIO. We have respected legal procedures as much as possible and negotiated with the opposition party," adding, "We have made every effort for a launch based on agreement."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Floor leader Kim criticized the opposition's use of veto power, saying, "If the opposition members of the HCIO Chief Candidate Recommendation Committee had not exercised their 'blind' veto power, the chief candidate would have already been recommended." He said, "We will do our best until the final negotiation mediated by the National Assembly Speaker," but warned of a forced passage, saying, "We hope to reach an agreement with the opposition, but if not, we will follow parliamentary procedures."

Kim added, "The launch of the HCIO is a mandate that the people have demanded for 24 years since the 1996 National Assembly petition on the Anti-Corruption Act by civic groups," and said, "The Democratic Party will fulfill its responsibility to the people according to democratic principles. We will faithfully carry out the people's will with a historic sense of responsibility in this regular session of the National Assembly."

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