Criticism Pours In Over Cho Eung-cheon's 'Absence' and Jang Hye-young's 'Abstention' on the Corruption Investigation Office Act

"Punish the Traitor"... Calls for Expulsion Too

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] Supporters are flooding with criticism saying "broke party line" against Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Eung-cheon, who did not vote on the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) bill, and Justice Party lawmaker Jang Hye-young, who abstained.

On the 11th, the Democratic Party member bulletin board and Cho's Facebook were flooded with opinions demanding disciplinary action and expulsion. Some party members argued, "Members who deny the party line on HOCI are traitors and must be expelled," "Refusing to vote is neither conviction nor anything else. It obstructed reform," and "Severe punishment is necessary." They also cited the case of former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop to demand withdrawal from the party.

Rep. Cho Eung-cheon, who has caused controversy within the Democratic Party with his critical remarks regarding Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae's comments to Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, is seen talking with fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly plenary session hall on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

When the vote took place in the plenary session the day before, Cho did not press any button for approval, opposition, or abstention. On Facebook on the 25th of last month, he pointed out, "I said there was no need to worry because there was a safety device called the opposition's veto power, but now they are proceeding with a legal amendment that nullifies the veto power."

At a meeting with reporters, Cho said, "It was not absence but not voting," and "I acted in accordance with what best matched my position so far." Regarding criticism from Democratic Party supporters or the possibility of disciplinary requests, he said, "I have to bear it all," and "I have to endure everything."

However, Choi In-ho, the Democratic Party chief spokesperson, told reporters after the morning Supreme Council meeting that day, "There was no discussion about Cho's absence from the vote."

Lawmaker Jang also broke the Justice Party's party line of supporting HOCI and cast an abstention vote. On Facebook, Jang stated, "The amendment that nullifies the opposition's veto power undermines the democratic principle that the National Assembly should be the first law-abiding entity." She added, "I made a painful decision against the party line to perform my duties according to my conscience," emphasizing, "I fully understand the seriousness of the party line, but keeping one's conviction is also a value of the Justice Party."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, comments such as "If conviction is important, you should have run as an independent," and "If it does not match your values, leave the party" were posted. On the other hand, there were voices of support saying, "The conscientious abstention should serve as a basis to prevent abuse of the HOCI law," and "A party develops when it can say no to what is wrong."

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