Ruling Party Unilaterally Passes Agenda Coordination; Opposition Stages Picket Protest Against One-Sided Decision

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporters Lee Jieun and Kim Hyemin] The ruling party unilaterally passed a revision to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act through the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee’s Agenda Coordination Subcommittee, removing the opposition’s veto power over the appointment of the CIO chief. The opposition protested the unilateral decision by staging a picket demonstration outside the committee.

On the morning of December 8, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee convened the Agenda Coordination Subcommittee and passed the CIO Act revision, which neutralizes the opposition’s veto power over the CIO chief, with a 4-to-2 vote.

The Agenda Coordination Subcommittee was composed of Democratic Party secretary Baek Hyeryeon, as well as lawmakers Park Beomgye and Kim Yongmin; People Power Party secretary Kim Doeup and lawmaker Yoo Sangbeom; and, representing a non-negotiating bloc, Choi Kangwook of the Open Democratic Party. This effectively created a 4-to-2 structure in favor of the ruling party.

After the vote, Baek told reporters, "The agenda coordination was concluded with a 4-to-2 vote," adding, "The decision is identical to what was discussed in the subcommittee the previous day."

The subcommittee’s discussions were held behind closed doors. In response, the opposition criticized the closed proceedings and staged a picket protest in front of the committee. Choi Hyungdu, floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, raised his voice, saying, "Why is something this important not open to the public? Both print and camera journalists were pushed out. Isn’t this just about appointing a CIO chief who will listen to them, ignoring bipartisan discussion?" However, Baek dismissed the criticism, stating, "Subcommittees and agenda coordination subcommittees have always been closed to the public."

Kim, the People Power Party secretary, also criticized after leaving the meeting room, saying, "In this restricted situation, they cut off our remarks and denied us the opportunity to speak, then abruptly passed the CIO Act revision in the agenda coordination subcommittee as they pleased. The subcommittee is supposed to guarantee a 90-day period of activity unless there are special circumstances, and any shortening of this period should be done by agreement between the secretaries. Is this really coordination?"

Lawmaker Yoo Sangbeom added, "By deleting the five-year trial investigation requirement from the original CIO Act, this dangerous bill now allows lawyers from Minbyun, who have only practiced law, to be appointed as CIO prosecutors at any time after seven years. This essentially paves the way for so-called 'Choo Mi-ae prosecutors' to appear everywhere."

Opposition lawmakers held pickets with slogans such as "Undermining Democracy" and "Stop the CIO Act" in front of the committee. Kwon Eunhee, floor leader of the People’s Party, also joined the protest holding a picket. She stated, "If the opposition’s veto power is eliminated in the 21st National Assembly, it is an admission that the CIO Act itself is fundamentally invalid. Amending the CIO Act again, which is currently under review by the Constitutional Court, to launch an organization lacking political neutrality, only adds further unconstitutional elements."

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