Opposition Raises '1 Special Prosecutor, 4 Parliamentary Investigations'... But Skepticism Arises Over Its Feasibility

Democrats Express Intent to Pursue Special Prosecutor Over Corporal Chae's Death
National Investigations on Yangpyeong Expressway, Media Control, Jamboree, Osong Flooding
Some Opposition Members Also Voice Concerns Over Need for Focus and Prioritization

The Democratic Party of Korea intensified its offensive against the ruling party and government by announcing plans to pursue ‘1 special prosecutor and 4 parliamentary investigations’ as soon as the August extraordinary session of the National Assembly begins. However, with a parliamentary investigation season approaching, making it difficult to devote full efforts, and strong opposition from the government and ruling party, skepticism is growing even within the party, as it is widely expected that achieving substantial results will be challenging.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 16th, the party leadership publicly endorsed the so-called ‘1 special prosecutor and 4 parliamentary investigations’ as party policy, which includes pushing for a special prosecutor regarding the death of Marine Corps Corporal the late Chae Su-geun, along with parliamentary investigations into four issues: ▲allegations of preferential treatment in changing the terminus of the Seoul-Yangpyeong highway involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee’s family, ▲the dismissal resolution of the KBS chairman by the Korea Communications Commission, ▲the Saemangeum Jamboree mismanagement incident, and ▲the Osong underpass disaster during the heavy rains.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "This administration seems to disregard people and human lives. We will ensure that the government and ruling party no longer ignore the people and regress," adding, "We will promptly push forward with the ‘1 special prosecutor and 4 parliamentary investigations.’"

Park Kwang-on, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "The public has reached a point where they feel the government is irresponsible," emphasizing, "The Democratic Party will use all means available in the National Assembly to hold the government accountable for five major irresponsibilities." He added, "We will conduct urgent inquiries in standing committees on the highway gate, unlawful broadcasting control, the Osong disaster, and the Jamboree incident, while striving to realize the four parliamentary investigations."

Although Floor Leader Park declared that thorough inquiries would be conducted in the standing committees, meetings of the National Defense Committee related to the Marine Corps case and the Public Administration and Security Committee regarding the Osong disaster both ended in deadlock due to differences between the ruling and opposition parties. This foreshadows intensified political clashes between the two sides over the special prosecutor push.

There is also skepticism within the Democratic Party regarding the ‘1 special prosecutor and 4 parliamentary investigations’ policy. It is unusual for the opposition to simultaneously pursue a special prosecutor and multiple parliamentary investigations, and with the parliamentary investigation season scheduled for October, it will be difficult to fully concentrate on these issues immediately.

Critics point out that without cooperation from the government and ruling party, smooth progress of the special prosecutor and parliamentary investigations is unlikely, reducing their feasibility. In the case of the special prosecutor, a standing special prosecutor is activated by the authority of Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon. A general special prosecutor requires approval from the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, currently chaired by Kim Do-eup of the People Power Party. Moreover, cooperation from the government and ruling party is essential during processes such as witness summons and document requests for parliamentary investigations.

At a Democratic Party members’ meeting, opinions were expressed that ‘selection and concentration’ are necessary. After the meeting on the 16th, floor spokesperson Lee So-young told reporters, "There were concerns that handling too many issues in parallel would prevent focused results, so the need for selection and concentration was raised," adding, "This is a meaningful point that the leadership will consider carefully."

Political commentator and Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University’s Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "The Democratic Party has repeatedly called for parliamentary investigations whenever problems arise, so the public no longer takes this seriously, making it difficult to gain public support," and added, "While the push for ‘4 parliamentary investigations’ may have been a means to seize the initiative, it will be difficult to achieve (substantial) results."

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