Hong Ik-pyo: "Special Investigation Law for Fallen Marines Must Be Passed in May National Assembly"

Hong "Opposing the Special Prosecutor Act is Another Obstruction of Investigation"
"The May 2nd Plenary Session Must Be Held and the Bill Processed"

Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "The special investigation law related to the pressure on the investigation of the fallen Marine Corps members and the special law on jeonse fraud must be passed at the May plenary session."

At the floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 30th, Floor Leader Hong emphasized, "Neglecting duties and opposing the special investigation law even by violating the National Assembly Act is another obstruction of the investigation and concealment of the truth," adding, "I will make sure the National Assembly convenes." The 21st National Assembly started its extraordinary session from this day, which will last until the 29th of next month. The Democratic Party submitted the 'Request for Convening the May Extraordinary Session' unilaterally on the 26th.

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He said, "The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) is intensifying the investigation by summoning and questioning Yoo Jae-eun, the legal affairs manager of the Ministry of National Defense and one of the key suspects in the pressure on the Marine Corps investigation, twice," and added, "No matter how much power exerts pressure and obstructs, it cannot stop the pieces of truth from coming in." He continued, "Contrary to Yoo, the legal affairs manager's testimony at the National Assembly that there was no involvement of the Ministry of National Defense's top officials in the process of retrieving investigation records, there is testimony that he directly consulted with the police, raising issues of perjury," and claimed, "There is also evidence that Kim Gye-hwan, the Marine Corps commander, deleted call records during the process of retrieving investigation records, indicating evidence destruction."

Floor Leader Hong said, "I hope the government and the ruling party no longer ignore the truth," and stated, "If the special investigation law is not passed, the 21st National Assembly will truly be ashamed before the people." He added, "Not only the special investigation law but also urgent livelihood bills such as the special law on jeonse fraud are waiting to pass the National Assembly," and emphasized, "According to the provisions of the National Assembly Act and the people's mandate, I ask the government and the ruling party to actively cooperate in the May extraordinary session." The ruling and opposition parties are continuing negotiations over the schedule for convening the plenary session during the May extraordinary session.

The Democratic Party plans to hold two plenary sessions during the extraordinary session period and pass the special investigation law for the fallen Marine Corps members, the special law on jeonse fraud, and the Itaewon special law. Im Oh-kyung, the party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "According to the National Assembly Act, the plenary session must be convened at least twice," urging, "The Speaker of the National Assembly must make the final decision." He added, "There was one meeting between the ruling and opposition floor leaders last week, and according to the schedule, there should have been one yesterday, but the ruling party suggested discussing again after the summit meeting," and said, "It is expected that the ruling and opposition floor leaders will meet within today."

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