"Injunction Filed with Constitutional Court to Suspend Effectiveness of CIO Act Amendment," Says Yoo Sangbum

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Kim Hyemin] On December 11, Yoo Sangbum, a member of the People Power Party, filed an injunction with the Constitutional Court seeking to suspend the effectiveness of the revised Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act.

The amendment to the CIO Act, which was passed at the National Assembly plenary session the previous day, is characterized by the removal of the opposition party's veto power in the process of recommending candidates for the head of the CIO, and by the relaxation of qualifications required to become a CIO prosecutor.

Yoo explained the reason for his application, stating, "There are serious and clear procedural and substantive flaws."

He pointed out, "Baek Hyeryeon, secretary of the Democratic Party, unilaterally passed the amendment to the CIO Act on December 8 without completing deliberation on four provisions that were under review by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's agenda coordination subcommittee, thereby effectively undermining the procedures of the National Assembly Act. Yoon Hojoong, chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, also violated the spirit of the National Assembly Act and the values of parliamentary democracy by ending the agenda coordination subcommittee-which is supposed to mediate disagreements for up to 90 days-in just one hour, immediately convening a full committee meeting, and processing the bill through a standing vote while depriving People Power Party lawmaker Jeon Juhae of the opportunity to present an opposing argument."

Yoo argued, "By deleting the opposition party's veto power-a provision that was the only minimum safeguard for ensuring the political neutrality and investigative independence of the CIO-and by allowing lawyers without any experience in trials, investigations, or practical legal work to be appointed as CIO prosecutors, the amendment itself seriously undermines the constitutional principle of the rule of law, the value of human dignity, and various fundamental rights."

Yoo had previously filed a constitutional complaint in May, claiming that the CIO Act was unconstitutional. He said, "I urge the Constitutional Court to make the right decision by immediately suspending the effectiveness of the law without delay."

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