Desperate Opposition Clings to 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act'... What Is Lee's Intent Visiting Bongha Village?

Minjoo in 'Hardline Mode' on Special Prosecutor Law Push
Challenges Expected Starting with Judiciary Committee Approval
Seemingly Aiming to Gain Public Opinion Advantage Backed by Supportive Sentiment

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the launch ceremony and press conference of the Livelihood Economic Crisis Countermeasures Committee held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Joo-hee] The Democratic Party of Korea is strongly pushing for the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' following the indictment of party leader Lee Jae-myung. They appear to be directly countering the 'Lee Jae-myung judicial risk' by highlighting the 'Kim Geon-hee judicial risk.' Despite widespread skepticism about the feasibility of enacting the special prosecutor law, the Democratic Party's hardline stance is seen as an attempt to gain the upper hand in the public opinion battle and offset the risks facing Lee.

Before the Chuseok holiday, after the prosecution summoned and indicted Lee, the Democratic Party has been fully committed to advancing the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act. On the 7th of this month, the party officially proposed the special prosecutor law as a party policy to investigate allegations against Mrs. Kim, including stock manipulation, false credentials, and bribery-like sponsorships. Initially, there was a cautious majority within the party concerned that aggressively pushing the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act might backfire, but the mood shifted dramatically after Lee's indictment.

However, realistically, it seems difficult for the special prosecutor law to pass and be implemented. Challenges are expected right from the stage of submission to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (LJ Committee), which oversees the bill. Since the chairperson of the LJ Committee, who has the authority to submit bills, is a member of the People Power Party, cooperation is unlikely.

The Democratic Party is also considering designating the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act as a fast-track (priority legislation) measure as a workaround, but this too is uncertain. Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the LJ Committee from the Transition Korea party who has emerged as a 'casting vote' for the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act, has publicly opposed it. To designate a bill as fast-track, at least three-fifths (11 out of 18) of the LJ Committee members must agree, but the Democratic Party has only 10 members, making Jo's consent essential.

Even if the bill passes the plenary session, most observers believe that President Yoon Seok-youl could exercise his veto power, making the actual commencement of a special prosecutor investigation impossible. There are also skeptical voices within the Democratic Party regarding the push for the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act. On the 14th, Lee Sang-min, considered a principled member, said on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "Considering various conditions, it is unrealistic," adding, "If we cannot get cooperation for passing the bill through the LJ Committee or amending the law via fast-track, the chances of realization are slim."

Despite the low likelihood, analysts suggest that the push for the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act is motivated by an intention to mitigate Lee's judicial risks through public opinion warfare. The Democratic Party has repeatedly emphasized that public support for the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act was high in a poll conducted just before the Chuseok holiday.

On the 12th, party secretary-general Jo Jeong-sik said at a National Assembly press conference, "65% of the public supports the special prosecutor for Mrs. Kim, and there is strong public criticism of the prosecution's unfair investigation and indictment against Lee." Lee Sang-min also said that although the chances of realizing the Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act are low, "Compared to the sharp judicial scrutiny against Lee, the scrutiny against Mrs. Kim and President Yoon is too blunt and unfair, which many in public opinion cannot overlook," adding, "The Democratic Party cannot ignore such public sentiment."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and other party leaders paid their respects on the afternoon of the 14th at the grave site of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun in Bongha Village, Jinyeong-eup, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 14th, Lee visited Bongha Village in Gimhae, Gyeongnam, to pay respects at the grave of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun for the first time since his inauguration as party leader. While it is customary for a new party leader to visit Bongha, some interpret this visit as an attempt to solidify the 'opposition suppression' narrative by paying respects to former President Roh, who passed away while under prosecution investigation.

Before visiting Bongha Village that day, Lee expressed indirect dissatisfaction with the prosecution and police investigations targeting him during a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, saying, "Do not waste too much national capacity on political strife, opposition suppression, or elimination of political rivals."

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