Yoon Exercises Veto on 'Ssangteukgeom Act'... "Manipulation of Public Opinion and Violation of People's Choice"

Presidential Office "Regrets Forced Passage Without Agreement"
Democratic Party Warns "Judgment of the People Will Begin"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 5th, President Yoon Suk-yeol exercised his veto power on the so-called 'double special prosecution laws' concerning allegations of stock manipulation by First Lady Kim Keon-hee related to Deutsche Motors (Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecution Act) and bribery allegations involving the 5 billion won club in the Daejang-dong development project (Daejang-dong 5 Billion Club Special Prosecution Act). With President Yoon's immediate use of the veto, the political conflict between the ruling and opposition parties, which had been subdued following the attack on Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, is expected to reignite.

According to the presidential office, President Yoon approved the veto request immediately after the re-request for reconsideration of the relevant bills was passed at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Lee Kwan-seop, Chief of Staff to the President, stated at a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that day, "In accordance with constitutional duty, the president requested reconsideration of two malicious election-related laws to the National Assembly," and expressed "deep regret over the unilateral and forced passage without bipartisan agreement."

In an unusual direct briefing, Chief Lee strongly criticized, "The Cabinet's deliberation ignored the constitutional precedent of bipartisan agreement, subjected individuals involved in ongoing trials to double excessive investigations violating their human rights, and during the election period, a pro-opposition special prosecution could infringe on the people's right to choose through false briefings." Regarding the Daejang-dong 5 Billion Club Special Prosecution Act, he pointed out, "Its purpose is to shield Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung," and criticized, "Excluding the ruling party's right to recommend special prosecutors and allowing only the opposition to recommend them means a pro-opposition special prosecution will investigate, making it impossible to uncover the truth."

Regarding the Kim Keon-hee Special Prosecution Act, he said, "This concerns events from 12 years ago before marriage, which the Moon Jae-in administration investigated thoroughly for two years without even indicting or summoning anyone. Conducting a double investigation infringes on the human rights of those on trial and, like the 5 Billion Club Special Prosecution Act, has problems such as politically biased special prosecutor appointments and public opinion manipulation through false briefings."

President Yoon exercises veto in record short period of 8 days

President Yoon exercised his veto just 8 days after the opposition party, including the Democratic Party, unilaterally passed the double special prosecution laws in the National Assembly plenary session, strongly indicating his unwillingness to accept the special prosecution laws. Compared to other cases where President Yoon exercised veto power?such as the amendment to the Grain Management Act (12 days), the enactment of the Nursing Act (19 days), and the Yellow Envelope Act and the Broadcasting 3 Acts (22 days)?this procedure was carried out swiftly. With President Yoon's veto, the government will send the double special prosecution laws back to the National Assembly requesting reconsideration.

The People Power Party responded that the veto on the double special prosecution laws was a natural action. Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "It is only natural for the president to exercise veto power against malicious laws with clear political intent and many unconstitutional elements."

On the other hand, the Democratic Party warned regarding the veto, "The people's judgment and resistance against the president and government will begin now." Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting, "No president in history has ever rejected special prosecution or prosecution investigations related to themselves or their families," and added, "If the president, government, and ruling party think that everything ends with the veto, they are gravely mistaken."

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