People Power Party on Passage of Corruption Investigation Office Act: "Democratic Party Should Be Ashamed Before History"

The Act on the Establishment and Operation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly held on the 10th, with 187 votes in favor, 99 against, and 1 abstention. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] On the 10th, the People Power Party strongly opposed the passage of the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act, which removed the opposition party's veto power in the plenary session, saying, "The Democratic Party of Korea should be ashamed before history."

People Power Party spokesperson Bae Jun-young said in an oral commentary on the day, "The Democratic Party trampled on the 70-year tradition and ethics of the National Assembly to establish the HCIO. The name is undeserved," he said.

Spokesperson Bae emphasized, "Is the current administration now relieved, thinking it can avoid criminal punishment? The HCIO may now act as a loyal dog for the administration that gave birth to it. But toward the end of the administration, it will follow the logic of survival."

He added, "Therefore, the government and ruling party are looking for an HCIO chief who is like a blood relative of the administration, but since it is difficult to find one, they might even want to appoint Professor Cho Kuk," he criticized. He also added, "Yoon Seok-youl, who was appointed by President Moon Jae-in in 2017, is now rooting out serious crimes of the current administration in 2020, and the Presidential Special Inspector, created as a 2012 election pledge, effectively brought down the administration in 2016."

Spokesperson Bae said, "The newly appointed HCIO chief should prepare thoroughly for the confirmation hearing," and added, "And if they conceal or manipulate investigations related to the Ulsan mayoral election interference, the Lime and Optimus scandals involving the Blue House, or the fabricated case related to the Wolseong nuclear power plant, they should know that criminal punishment awaits them in the future."

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