Deadlock in Ruling and Opposition Special Prosecutor 'Passing the Buck' Political Conflict... Will Roles Reverse in Daejangdong Offense and Defense?

Song Young-gil, Standing Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, and other leadership members are shouting slogans at the General Headquarters Directors' meeting of the election campaign committee held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] Discussions on introducing a ‘special prosecutor (special investigation)’ to investigate the preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project have reached a deadlock amid a ‘passing the buck’ political dispute between the ruling and opposition parties. Both sides verbally call for the introduction of a special prosecutor but neither is willing to take the first step toward negotiations. The People Power Party, which once claimed ‘the one who avoids is the culprit,’ appears to be stepping back in response to the Democratic Party’s proposal to include ‘allegations related to Yoon Seok-yeol.’

On the 12th, the Democratic Party put forward a party stance of ‘conditional acceptance of a special prosecutor’ based on the premise of ‘if the prosecution’s investigation is insufficient,’ as mentioned by presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung. Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the general headquarters chiefs meeting chaired by the standing election committee chairman that morning, “The intention behind Candidate Lee’s conditional acceptance is understood as emphasizing once again the thorough investigations currently underway by the prosecution and the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Unit (HOCI).” Floor leader Yoon Ho-jung also said in a KBS radio interview that day, “It means that the prosecution should not stop the investigation but continue it thoroughly.”

However, as stated the day before, the Democratic Party insists that investigations into the involvement of People Power Party figures in the Daejang-dong allegations must also proceed. In other words, since the prosecution is not properly investigating this part, the prosecution’s investigation will ultimately end ‘insufficiently,’ which justifies the necessity of introducing a special prosecutor. On the other hand, the People Power Party also believes that the prosecution will not thoroughly uncover any corruption by Candidate Lee, so it is clear that they will also judge the prosecution’s investigation as ‘insufficient.’

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party (center), is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ultimately, the Democratic Party’s demand to include ‘the 5 billion won retirement bonus of former lawmaker Kwak Sang-do’s son,’ ‘Yoon Seok-yeol candidate’s inadequate investigation of Busan Savings Bank,’ and ‘controversy over the sale of Yoon’s father’s house in Yeonhui-dong’ within the scope of the special prosecutor’s investigation will become the starting point for serious special prosecutor discussions, depending on whether the People Power Party accepts it.

However, the People Power Party views the intention behind these conditions as a ‘stalling tactic’ and finds it difficult to accept. Outwardly, Candidate Lee appears ready to accept the special prosecutor, but in reality, it is a ‘show’ to avoid it. Within the People Power Party, there are concerns that most of the allegations raised as conditions by the Democratic Party are directed at Candidate Yoon, which could trap them in a political frame. There is also a stance that there is no need to include the Busan Savings Bank investigation, whose statute of limitations has already expired, within the special prosecutor’s investigation scope. Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the party’s floor meeting that day, “The ruling and opposition parties should meet without delay to discuss the special prosecutor law. I hope the parties can meet soon without worrying about formality or conditions,” but avoided giving a specific answer, saying, “I don’t even know what the Democratic Party means by conditional special prosecutor, so it’s very difficult to answer based on assumptions.”

Meanwhile, Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, “They didn’t even properly propose a meeting for negotiations, and although they said they could meet today, (Leader Kim Ki-hyun) went to the provinces,” adding, “I don’t know who is avoiding whom.” Both sides are engaged in a war of words over whether there is any willingness to negotiate.

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