[Inside Chodong] Repeated Veto Stalemate: This Time, the President Must Step Forward

Once again, the 'veto standoff' has begun. Just eight days after the unprecedented 'First Lady Special Prosecutor Act' was unanimously passed in a National Assembly plenary session attended only by opposition lawmakers, the president exercised his veto against the special prosecutor investigation targeting his family. This case differs in nature from previous instances of veto use. With the general election just over three months away, there are many variables, including public judgment on the veto against the family investigation and the opposition's legal responses. In a situation already entering the election phase, the presidential office has effectively taken on its greatest adversity.

The opposition's strategy to shake the entire government and ruling party by targeting the president seems to have succeeded for now. Beyond framing President Yoon Seok-yeol's veto as a 'private abuse of presidential authority,' it has sparked new controversy over the 'establishment of a second secretariat,' which contradicts the president's campaign promises. As a result, last weekend, members of the Korean University Students Progressive Union (Daejin-yeon) even attempted to enter the presidential office, leading to an unnecessary exhausting confrontation.

According to the presidential office's explanation, the reason for exercising the veto is clear. Above all, they argue that a pro-opposition special prosecutor during the election period could infringe on the public's right to choose through false briefings, labeling it an 'election-use malicious law.' They claim the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' itself is a political offensive by the opposition aimed at shaking the president to gain an advantage in the general election.

There are also indications of the Democratic Party's political intentions. When the Democratic Party brought the 'Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' to the National Assembly plenary session, they justified it by saying, "The prosecution, because she is the president's spouse, has repeatedly conducted time-wasting and lenient investigations without uncovering the truth behind the allegations, turning a blind eye to illegal acts," which contradicts the timing.

The core issue, the 'Deutsche Motors stock price manipulation,' was investigated for two years by pro-Moon Jae-in prosecutors during the previous administration but no charges were found. A senior official from the presidential office even directly stated, "This is a case from 12 years ago before the marriage, which was thoroughly investigated for two years under the Moon Jae-in government without any indictment or even summons. Conducting a double investigation only infringes on the human rights of the related parties undergoing trial," which explains their stance.

However, the root cause clearly lies with President Yoon. Since the government’s inception, the 'First Lady risk' has repeatedly surfaced and was foreseeable. Because there is no institutional management system for the president’s spouse, controversies have arisen repeatedly without proper resolution, only to be glossed over. While the public awaits answers, the presidential office has avoided direct responses regarding allegations related to Mrs. Kim.

Meanwhile, suspicions have grown with allegations of preferential treatment on the Seoul-Yangpyeong highway, luxury shopping during overseas trips, and recently, suspicions of receiving luxury handbags, all of which have worsened public opinion toward the presidential office. As doubts increase, the public backlash has effectively fueled calls for a 'special prosecutor for Mrs. Kim.' In various opinion polls, more than half of respondents answered that 'President Yoon Seok-yeol should not exercise the veto against the special prosecutor.'

Although the veto is a constitutionally guaranteed power, President Yoon must personally explain and seek understanding from the public regarding this veto. Many citizens remain unconvinced by the process, including the change of the Cabinet meeting time in preparation for the bill’s transmission and the convening of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting just one day after the bill was sent to the government. The proposed alternative of establishing a 'second secretariat,' presented as a reconsideration, is clearly another stopgap measure.

The Democratic Party must also stop shaking public opinion with the 'election-use planned special prosecutor.' Unlike previous cases where a bill vetoed by the president was immediately re-voted in the plenary session, delaying the re-vote under the pretext of a constitutional review request only appears to be an attempt to drag the 'Mrs. Kim risk' into the general election. What the public currently wants from the political sphere is a responsible attitude from the president and a legitimate exercise of oversight by the opposition. / Political Desk Deputy Chief Reporter Bae Gyeong-hwan

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