[Comprehensive] "Early Ouster of Moon Administration...Like Under Hitler" Opposition Launches Full-Scale Criticism of HCIO Act

Opposition Leaders Decry "Martial Law" and "Rule Under Hitler"
Political Turmoil Erupts After HCIO Act Amendment Passes
Calls for Early End to Moon Jae-in Administration Intensify

On the morning of the 9th, ahead of the plenary session to pass the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Act (Gongsoocheo Act) and the three economic bills, members of the People Power Party are holding a relay overnight sit-in at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Han Seunggon] A political storm is brewing after the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act, which neutralizes the opposition party's veto power, passed the National Assembly plenary session the previous day (December 10, 2020). The opposition party claims that parliamentary democracy was undermined during the process of passing the HCIO Act and has stated that it is willing to take its protest outside the Assembly. As a result, the political climate is expected to remain frozen for the time being, with the HCIO facing criticism as a "half-baked agency."

The National Assembly held a plenary session that day and passed the amendment to the HCIO Act with 287 members present: 187 in favor, 99 against, and 1 abstention. The Democratic Party, the Open Democratic Party, and minor opposition parties such as the Justice Party, which had adopted support for the amendment as their party line, voted in favor. As a result, the opposition is now in a position where it must accept the ruling party's nominee for the head of the HCIO.

The Democratic Party welcomed the passage of the amendment. Democratic Party leader Lee Nakyon stated, "It has been 24 years since civil society began calling for the HCIO," and added, "I would like to thank all citizens who have supported us in finally accomplishing this long-standing and difficult task."

People from the People Power Party are shouting slogans such as "Hypocritical regime, disgraceful politics, warning to the Democratic Party!" at the entrance of the National Assembly plenary session hall in Yeouido on the 10th as Democratic Party members enter the plenary session.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The opposition bloc responded immediately. On December 10, leaders of the People Power Party as well as representatives from other conservative parties and civic groups held a joint meeting and launched the "Emergency National Alliance for Ending Tyranny and Achieving Democracy." Through this alliance, they agreed to pursue an "anti-Moon Jae-in coalition" and join forces to push for an early end to the current administration.

The Emergency National Alliance is led by seven co-representatives: Joo Hoeyoung, floor leader of the People Power Party; Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People’s Party; Lee Jaeoh, executive chair of the National Integration Alliance; Kim Moonsu, former governor of Gyeonggi Province; Lee Heebeom, leader of the Liberty Alliance; Kim Taehun, president of the Lawyers for Human Rights and Unification of Korea; and Jang Gipyo, head of the New Civilization Policy Institute.

In a statement released at the joint meeting, they strongly criticized, "A dictatorship has begun in which a single individual, the president, rules over everything," and added, "For the first time in the 70-year history of constitutional government, the Democratic Party has reduced the nation to a so-called 'single-party state' that overwhelms all other parties."

They continued, "We will unite under the cause of bringing about an early end to the Moon Jae-in administration and restoring normalcy to the nation," and added, "Let us temporarily set aside disputes over shares of power and ideological differences in order to fight to the end against the forces of tyranny."

At the meeting, floor leader Joo stated, "While there may be differences in how we perceive the situation and in our proposed solutions, I believe there is no one here who disagrees that the Moon Jae-in administration must step down early and that tyranny must be brought to an end."

On the 8th, at the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, People Power Party lawmaker Sujin Cho and others protested against Democratic Party lawmakers who were trying to pass the partial amendment bill on the establishment and operation of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI), holding placards with slogans. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Chongin, the interim leader of the People Power Party, made strong remarks, even referencing 'Hitler.' At the party’s emergency committee meeting on December 10, Kim said, "State affairs are being chronically manipulated across all constitutional institutions, including the National Assembly, the judiciary, and the executive. For the first time in constitutional history, democracy is being destroyed by elected power." He continued, "The legislative branch is the heart of the National Assembly, but now, legislative power has been neutralized by the ruling party’s Red Guards, leaving the National Assembly in a state of cardiac arrest."

Kim also stated, "If the ruling party intends to run the government unchecked, there are even calls for the National Assembly to be shut down and martial law to be declared. This grave situation is reminiscent of Germany under Hitler."

Meanwhile, according to Blue House spokesperson Kang Minseok at a press briefing, President Moon Jae-in, upon the passage of the HCIO amendment, said, "I hope that the remaining procedures, including the nomination and appointment of the HCIO chief and the confirmation hearing, will proceed swiftly and without delay, so that the HCIO can be officially launched at the very beginning of 2021."

President Moon further stated, "The establishment of the HCIO is a long-standing promise to the people to conduct thorough investigations into corruption involving the president and those close to him, as well as to ensure checks and balances among power institutions." He added, "Originally, the opposition was supposed to be proactive and the ruling party passive, but things have unfolded in a rather unusual way."

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