The Democratic Party's Surprise Passage of the 'Public Corruption Investigation Office Act' in the Legislation Committee... Opposition Strongly Condemns as "Theft" (Comprehensive)

Democratic Party Forces Passage of Corruption Investigation Office Act in Full Assembly Following Agenda Coordination Committee
Opposition's Veto Power Neutralized... People Power Party Protests Then Walks Out

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is blocking Yoon Ho-jung, chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, from passing the amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office Act during the full committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally passed an amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act on the 8th that removes the opposition party's veto power. The People Power Party strongly protested and physically tried to block it but failed to stop the passage.

The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee processed the HCIO Act amendment during a plenary session in the morning despite opposition from the People Power Party. Earlier, the committee's agenda coordination subcommittee also passed the HCIO Act with a 4-2 vote in favor by the Democratic Party. The subcommittee consisted of three Democratic Party members and one member from the Open Democratic Party, Choi Kang-wook, representing a de facto 4-2 ruling party to opposition ratio.

The HCIO Act amendment, which initially passed the agenda coordination subcommittee, was expected to be presented and processed during the afternoon plenary session. However, Committee Chair Yoon Ho-jung abruptly introduced the bill just before starting a public hearing on abortion laws.

In response, People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee vehemently protested, saying, "Even if you steal, you must follow procedures." Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, who was outside the committee room, entered and surrounded Chair Yoon Ho-jung, strongly protesting. Loud exchanges between ruling and opposition committee members quickly turned the meeting into chaos.

Amid the turmoil, Chair Yoon proceeded with a standing vote to gauge support and pushed through the vote. The Democratic Party and Choi Kang-wook voted in favor, and the HCIO Act amendment was finally approved. During this process, when Floor Leader Joo tried to prevent Chair Yoon from striking the gavel, Yoon struck the chair three times with his palm to announce the bill's passage, creating a farcical scene.

The amendment includes easing the quorum for the HCIO chief recommendation committee's resolution from six out of seven members to two-thirds. This means that with the agreement of five recommendation committee members, the HCIO chief candidate can be recommended. Even if two opposition party recommendation members oppose, the candidate can still be recommended.

The amendment also relaxed the requirements for HCIO prosecutors from ten years of lawyer qualification to seven years. It includes a provision that if a political party fails to select recommendation committee members within ten days, the Speaker of the National Assembly will recommend academic figures or others instead.

Immediately after the HCIO Act was processed, People Power Party members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee returned their nameplates to Chair Yoon and declared a boycott.

Kim Do-eup, the committee's secretary from the People Power Party, criticized, "During the agenda coordination subcommittee, while Baek Hye-ryun was discussing various issues related to the HCIO recommendation, the vote was suddenly taken, and Chair Yoon Ho-jung accepted it and pushed through a snap vote. It is our duty to check the ruling party's reckless behavior, but now the National Assembly has become a parliament that does not need the opposition."

Kim added, "The Democratic Party should remove 'Democratic' from its party name. We have no justification to continue as committee members. All responsibility must be borne by the Blue House and the Democratic Party."

Meanwhile, during the morning protest by People Power Party members in front of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Kwon Eun-hee, floor leader of the People Party, also participated. Kwon emphasized, "The opposition party's veto power was the only remaining mechanism to ensure the HCIO's independence and neutrality. Removing it is an admission that the HCIO Act is fundamentally invalid. Even if the HCIO Act passes, its legitimacy will be questioned."

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