Ruling and Opposition Parties at an Impasse over the 'Itaewon Special Act'... 'Double Special Prosecutor Law Veto' as a Variable

With "Victim Support"... Opposition "Must Form Special Investigation Committee"
Democrats to Force Vote in Plenary on 9th if No Agreement
Yoon Vetoes Dual Special Prosecutor Law... Re-vote Also a Variable

The ruling and opposition parties are unable to narrow their differences over the special law to investigate the truth behind the 'Itaewon Disaster.' Although they plan to continue consultations until the plenary session on the 9th, difficulties are expected to persist as the issue also hinges on the re-vote of the 'Double Special Prosecutor Law,' which President Yoon Suk-yeol has vetoed.

On the afternoon of the 5th, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met in the Speaker's office under the chairmanship of Speaker Kim Jin-pyo. The two floor leaders had also met on the 3rd to discuss the passage of the Itaewon Special Law but only confirmed their differences.

People Power Party Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok and Democratic Party Floor Leader Hong Ik-pyo are entering the National Assembly Speaker's office on the afternoon of the 5th for a meeting between the ruling and opposition floor leaders. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On this day as well, the ruling and opposition parties failed to reach a conclusion. After the meeting, Floor Leader Yoon told reporters, "We discussed various current issues today," but added, "There is nothing I can report as a result." He further stated, "We will continue to see until the plenary session," indicating that negotiations will continue. Floor Leader Hong also explained, "The ruling and opposition parties agreed not to hold a back briefing," and "discussions are ongoing." He added, "We plan to meet next Monday (the 8th)."

The Itaewon Special Law centers on investigating the truth behind the so-called 'Itaewon Disaster.' It was designated as a fast-track bill led by the opposition, primarily the Democratic Party, in June last year and was submitted to the plenary session in November last year. The main point of contention between the ruling and opposition parties is whether to form a 'Special Investigation Committee.' The Democratic Party insists on forming the committee to uncover the truth, while the ruling party argues that since the investigation is complete and trials are underway, the focus should be on victim support and preventing recurrence.

Speaker Kim Jin-pyo has proposed a 'mediation plan' that removes the authority to demand a special prosecutor on the condition of forming the special investigation committee and postpones the law's enforcement until after the general election. However, the Democratic Party plans to pass the bill as originally submitted if no agreement is reached by the plenary session on the 9th.

On the 5th, in front of the National Assembly main building, Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, is speaking at the "Kim Gun-hee, 5 Billion Club Special Prosecutor Rejection Condemnation Rally" held by the four opposition parties including the Democratic Party, Justice Party, Progressive Party, and Basic Income Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over the 'Double Special Prosecutor Law' is also becoming a variable in the process of reaching an agreement on the Itaewon Special Law. Earlier, President Yoon Suk-yeol exercised his veto power on the Double Special Prosecutor Law. This occurred less than a day after the National Assembly sent the bill to the government.

Following President Yoon's veto, the National Assembly must proceed with a re-vote. The People Power Party plans to quickly conclude the matter by re-voting at the plenary session scheduled for the 9th. This is interpreted as a strategy to minimize the negative impact of the Double Special Prosecutor Law before the general election.

On the other hand, the opposition parties are protesting the veto, including considering filing a constitutional review petition. Shortly after President Yoon exercised his veto, the four opposition parties held a rally in the National Assembly to condemn the decision. They plan to delay the re-vote as much as possible, hoping to gain defecting votes from those who lost party nominations during the ruling party's candidate selection process.

Meanwhile, the Double Special Prosecutor Law includes provisions to investigate the '50 Billion Club' related to preferential treatment allegations in the Daejang-dong development project and the involvement of President Yoon's spouse, Kim Geon-hee, in the 'Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation suspicion.' The bill passed the plenary session last month on the 28th, led by the opposition parties, while the People Power Party protested the voting process by walking out entirely. In the case of the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor,' all 180 opposition lawmakers who participated in the vote supported it.

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