Legislative Judiciary Committee Audit, Ruling Party's Solo Session Turns Chaotic... Opposition Demands "Arrest Kim Geon-hee," Another Disruption

October 20 Afternoon Resumed Legislation and Judiciary Committee Audit Disrupted After 30 Minutes
People Power Party Holds Session Alone Except Boycotting Democratic Party Opposing Search and Seizure
Democratic Party Strongly Protests Shouting "Investigate Kim Geon-hee Too"
"Condemn Opposition Suppression" vs "What Opposition Suppression Is Fair Investigation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the afternoon of the 20th, the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee session on the Supreme Prosecutors' Office ended in chaos and was eventually disrupted as the People Power Party, aiming to hold a solo session, and the Democratic Party, protesting against it, clashed fiercely.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Around 3 p.m. that day, Kim Do-eup, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairman from the People Power Party, said, "If we do not hold the national audit today, it will be virtually impossible to conduct an audit on the Supreme Prosecutors' Office," and added, "Democratic Party members claim that the prosecution is conducting political oppression and retaliatory investigations, but if that is the case, it should be thoroughly questioned through the Prosecutor General." He then held a solo session attended only by ruling party members.

The morning session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit was also attended only by People Power Party members due to the absence of Democratic Party members protesting the prosecution's search and seizure of the Democratic Party's central office. Although procedural speeches were made, the session was postponed.

In the afternoon resumed session, only People Power Party members attended, but as Chairman Kim insisted on holding a solo session, strong protests erupted from Democratic Party members.

On the 20th, during the National Assembly inspection of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office held at the National Assembly, Democratic Party lawmakers protested the attempt to search the central party headquarters and did not attend the inspection, leaving their seats empty. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Beom-gye questioned, "Is it acceptable to hold a solo session like this?" and some opposition lawmakers criticized, saying, "Stop political oppression" and "This violates the National Assembly Act." In response, People Power Party members retorted, "Who said there was oppression?" and "Are you not going to conduct the national audit?" turning the audit into a chaotic scene.

Despite the commotion, Chairman Kim continued the audit, proceeding with witness oaths and work reports.

On the 20th, at the emergency party meeting of the Democratic Party of Korea held at the National Assembly, Representative Lee Jae-myung, Floor Leader Park Hong-geun, and other lawmakers protested against the prosecution's attempt to search the Democratic Party headquarters by holding picket signs. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Democratic Party members surrounded Chairman Kim, shouting, "Investigate Kim Geon-hee too!" and "Stop illegal investigations!" Later, they changed their chant to "Arrest Kim Geon-hee!" raising their voices.

Amid the fierce exchanges between ruling and opposition lawmakers, when Chairman Kim asked, "Why is only the Legislation and Judiciary Committee having such issues when other standing committees are conducting audits smoothly?" opposition lawmakers responded, "Why is it only our country's prosecution that behaves this way when other countries' prosecutors do not?" Chairman Kim replied, "Then don't commit crimes!" which further intensified the opposition's backlash.

Opposition lawmakers immediately countered, asking, "Who is saying crimes were committed?" However, Chairman Kim did not back down, responding, "Isn't it because crimes were committed that warrants are issued? When arrest warrants and search warrants are issued, doesn't that mean some level of suspicion is recognized? People should not commit crimes." The opposition strongly protested, saying, "How can you say 'don't commit crimes'? Are you an investigative agency? An investigator?" The verbal battle escalated with exchanges like "Then should we commit crimes?" raising voices between ruling and opposition lawmakers.

Eventually, Chairman Kim declared, "It is time for the national audit Q&A, but it is impossible to conduct the Q&A," and announced, "I will temporarily suspend the audit," leading to the disruption of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee audit just 30 minutes after it began that afternoon.

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