Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over 'Geomsu Wanbak Law'... Future Development Scenarios

People Power Party, Transition Committee "Constitution Destruction, Jiminnanbak" Full-scale Offensive
Park Jihyun, Democratic Party Emergency Committee Chair, "Will Be a Direction for the People"
Filibuster Possible After Passing the Legislation and Judiciary Committee
Public Opinion Battle May Intensify Ahead of Local Elections

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] It is ongoing. The Presidential Transition Committee and the People Power Party vehemently opposed it, calling it ‘constitutional destruction’ and ‘Jimin Wanbak.’ The Democratic Party expressed its determination to push through the bill using its overwhelming majority, but it is expected that the National Assembly’s Advancement Act and public opinion will hinder the process.

The Transition Committee issued its first response after the Democratic Party’s decision. On the 13th, the committee’s Political, Judicial, and Administrative Subcommittee members stated in a press release, "The complete abolition of the prosecution’s investigative authority directly contradicts the constitutional intent of granting prosecutors the right to request warrants, and is tantamount to an act of constitutional destruction." Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on KBS Radio the same day and said, "If they are going to take such an unreasonable step, they need to explain it, but it will be difficult to respond to accusations of evading investigations into major corruption cases," raising his voice by saying, "Ultimately, Jimin Wanbak (the Democratic Party will be completely crushed in the local elections)."

Democratic Party of Korea's Co-Chairmen of the Emergency Response Committee, Yoon Ho-jung and Park Ji-hyun, are paying respects at Daejeon National Cemetery before attending the Emergency Response Meeting held at the Daejeon City Party Office on the 13th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party maintains its position to pass the prosecution reform bill at the April extraordinary session, as concluded in the previous day’s party meeting. Even Park Ji-hyun, co-chair of the Democratic Party’s Emergency Response Committee, who had previously expressed caution about pushing the bill, said in a meeting with reporters that day, "I believe that through proper procedures within the party, the separation of investigation and prosecution rights for the normalization of national investigative authority should proceed in a direction that benefits the country and the people," expressing support.

The Democratic Party is rushing prosecution reform due to concerns that President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol will block the prosecution reform bill through veto power and other means once inaugurated. For this reason, they have set the timing aiming for the bill to be announced at the Cabinet meeting on the 3rd of next month, during President Moon Jae-in’s term.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Democratic Party has also completed preliminary measures to suspend control devices under the National Assembly Advancement Act through personnel changes in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, but issues such as unlimited debate (filibuster) by the People Power Party still pose obstacles. Considering the expected passage of the prosecution reform bill, it is likely to pass the Judiciary Committee. Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok approved personnel changes sending lawmaker Park Seong-jun to the Planning and Finance Committee and bringing independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja into the Judiciary Committee. The political circles judge that this has effectively neutralized the agenda coordination committee, which allows three months of negotiation on contentious issues between ruling and opposition parties in standing committees. Although Yang, originally from the Democratic Party, participates as an opposition member, it is expected that the agenda coordination committee will be terminated in favor of the Democratic Party.

The key lies in the plenary session and public opinion battle. Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "We will use all means permitted by the National Assembly Act," indicating plans to block the bill through filibuster. If the People Power Party initiates a filibuster, the Democratic Party will need the agreement of 180 members (three-fifths of the seats) to end the debate. For this, support from the Justice Party is necessary. Even with unanimous support from the Democratic Party’s 172 lawmakers, plus the Basic Income Party, Transition Korea, and independent lawmakers formerly of the Democratic Party, they cannot reach 180 votes. The Justice Party has expressed ‘concern’ about this issue. Within the Democratic Party, there is a plan to end the extraordinary session and convene a new one to pass the bill if the Justice Party ultimately turns its back. Since the April extraordinary session ends on the 4th of next month, it would be possible to pass the bill by holding the May extraordinary session.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

However, the critical issue is whether public opinion will agree with such a hardline approach. It could become an immediate issue in the upcoming June 1 local elections. Moreover, if the April extraordinary session focuses on the prosecution reform bill, personnel hearings for the next government’s appointments will inevitably be disrupted. This series of political situations could trigger a ‘judgment theory.’ Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on KBS Radio and said, "If they are going to take such an unreasonable step, they need to explain it, but it will be difficult to respond to accusations of evading investigations into major corruption cases," raising his voice by saying, "Ultimately, Jimin Wanbak (the Democratic Party will be completely crushed in the local elections)."

It is also a burden for President Moon Jae-in. The prosecution plans to request that President Moon exercise his veto power. Floor leader Kwon is also pressuring for veto use, citing President Moon’s remarks that "prosecution reform was completed two years ago."

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