[Summary] "Feeling like stabbing my thigh with an awl" Opposition Criticizes Passage of the Public Officials Corruption Investigation Act

Former Leader Hwang Kyo-an Speaks Out After Over 8 Months Since General Election
"The People Cannot Stand By... Will Stop the Regime's Recklessness"
"Be Ashamed Before History," "Path to Total Collapse" - Fierce Criticism of the Opposition Party

Former Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party (predecessor of the People Power Party). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] The opposition strongly opposed the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCO) Act, which nullifies the opposition's veto power, passing the National Assembly plenary session on the 10th, saying, "Be ashamed before history." Former Future United Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, who resigned from all positions taking responsibility for the last general election defeat, also urged on the same day, "I hope the party leadership, all lawmakers, committee chairs, and party members resist with all their might."

In a post on his Facebook on the same day, former leader Hwang said, "There is almost nothing the opposition can do now. It is truly regrettable and I apologize to the people." This is the first time in about eight months since he stepped down from the leadership after the April 15 general election defeat that he posted on Facebook.

Former leader Hwang added, "Even if we cannot stop it right now, I firmly believe that the people will stop the regime's recklessness and restore democracy."

He continued, "I endured and endured. I endured with the feeling of stabbing my thigh with an awl," but said, "However, I could no longer endure. I cannot overlook this, so I express my resistance in writing. The current threat is a threat to democracy that we have never experienced before."

Former leader Hwang criticized, "The Moon Jae-in administration is driving an indispensable nail into South Korean democracy," and "Their thoughts are all about dictatorship and long-term rule. They are nullifying all democratic checks and balances guaranteed by the constitution."

As the amendment to the "High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (공수처) Act," which nullifies the opposition party's veto power, was passed at the plenary session of the National Assembly on the 10th, members of the People Power Party stood up holding placards and shouted slogans in protest. / Photo by Yonhap News

After the bill passed the National Assembly plenary session that day, the opposition raised their voices in criticism. Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in an oral comment immediately after the bill's passage, "The Democratic Party should be ashamed before history," and criticized, "They trampled on 70 years of parliamentary tradition and ethics to establish the HCO."

He continued, "Is the regime now relieved thinking it can avoid criminal punishment?" and emphasized, "The HCO may now act as a loyal dog for the regime that gave birth to it, but toward the end of the regime, it will act out of survival logic."

He also said, "The newly appointed HCO chief should prepare thoroughly for the confirmation hearing," and warned, "If they cover up or manipulate investigations into the Ulsan mayoral election interference, Lime and Optimus allegations involving the Blue House, or the manipulation case related to the Wolseong nuclear power plant, they should know that criminal punishment awaits in the future."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, and lawmakers shouted slogans condemning the passage of the partial amendment bill (alternative) on the establishment and operation of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, which nullified the opposition party's veto, during the plenary session of the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 10th. / Photo by Yonhap News

The party leadership also expressed a dismal sentiment. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the same party, met with reporters after leaving the National Assembly plenary session and said, "A dreadful anger is rising," and claimed, "The process of creating the HCO Act was full of illegality and coercion, but looking at the amendment process, it is impossible without seeing the people as dogs and pigs."

He added, "I am convinced that with the passage of the HCO Act amendment, President Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party regime have finally started on the path to ruin," and emphasized, "The people will never accept such corruption, illegality, immorality, and fraud."

The People Party also criticized it as a 'crisis of the spirit of democracy.' Ahn Hye-jin, spokesperson for the People Party, said in a statement that day, "The spirit of democracy, which was won by defeating the Yushin military dictatorship over several decades, has suddenly collapsed overnight," and questioned, "What on earth is the reason for trying so hard to launch the HCO with their own people? Is it because the prosecutor's blade is pointing toward the upper echelons?"

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