Kim Taenyeon: “CIO Act to Be Passed Today... An Inevitable Reform Demanded by the Times”

[Asia Economy, reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Kim Taenyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, reaffirmed his commitment to completing reforms on the 10th, ahead of the passage of the amendment to the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act, describing it as an “inevitable reform demanded by the times.”

At the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim stated, “The CIO Act will be handled at the plenary session at 2 p.m. today,” and added, “After a year of numerous hardships and resistance, the CIO Act is passing yet another hurdle today.”

Kim Taenyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo doso7@

He emphasized, “Reform is a series of arduous processes, but it can never be stopped. The CIO is an inevitable reform demanded by the times,” and stressed, “Once launched, the CIO will create a value for the era that goes beyond simply reforming power institutions.”

Kim also commented on the unlimited debate (filibuster) requested by the People Power Party, saying, “While we respect the opposition’s choice to use a legally permitted method of delaying decision-making as stipulated in the National Assembly Act, we cannot help but criticize their decision to apply it to the National Intelligence Service Act and the Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act as well.”

He explained, “The National Intelligence Service Act is a bill to abolish domestic intelligence-gathering activities that enabled surveillance of civilians and interference in domestic politics, and to reform intelligence agencies. The Development of Inter-Korean Relations Act is a law for peace that aims to prevent the sending of leaflets to North Korea, which threatens the safety and lives of residents in border areas. I do not understand why the People Power Party is opposing these bills.”

He added, “I cannot help but wonder if they are trying to position themselves as heirs to the military dictatorship,” and urged, “Even now, break away from Cold War-era conservatism and hardline stances, and join the path of reform and peace.”

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