Democratic Party Divided Between Hardliners and Moderates Over 'Permanent Special Prosecutor' Debate

Kim Seung-won "Myeong Tae-gyun 'One-Point' Permanent Special Prosecutor Needed"
Park Seong-jun "Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law First... Discussion Later"

The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing for a 'relaxed' Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law while hoping for support from the ruling party as well. This is an attempt to increase the chances of the bill passing. The strategy has shifted from pressuring the government and ruling party by adding up to 14 suspicions related to Mrs. Kim to a more moderate approach. Despite this tactical adjustment, there are still 'hardliners' within the party advocating for the simultaneous promotion of a 'permanent special prosecutor.'

According to a compilation of reports by Asia Economy on the 12th, there is a difference in opinion among Democratic Party lawmakers regarding the timing of promoting a permanent special prosecutor. The Democratic Party believes that President Yoon Seok-yeol is likely to exercise his veto power even against the relaxed Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law, which reduces the investigation targets from 14 charges to 3. The key issue is how many defections from the People Power Party will occur in the re-vote, which requires 200 votes. Hardliners, including members of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee), emphasize the need to utilize a permanent special prosecutor appointed by the opposition party, fearing the bill will be rejected in the re-vote. On the other hand, moderate lawmakers within the party argue that the permanent special prosecutor can be promoted slowly and that efforts should be concentrated on the relaxed Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law.

Kim Yong-min, the Chief Policy Deputy Representative of the Democratic Party of Korea (center), along with lawmakers Park Ju-min (right) and Kim Seung-won, submitted a permanent special prosecutor investigation request to the National Assembly's Legislative Affairs Office on the 8th of last month. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim Seung-won, the opposition party secretary of the Law Committee, said at an internal meeting on the 11th, "I feel that the time has come for the permanent special prosecutor law," and added, "We should actively consider a permanent special prosecutor focusing on the Myeongtaegyun gate as a 'one-point' investigation." He submitted a request for a permanent special prosecutor investigation to the legislative affairs office along with Kim Yong-min, the deputy floor leader for policy, on the 8th of last month.

However, the current floor leadership favors a 'cautious approach.' Park Seong-jun, deputy floor leader for floor operations, said in a phone call on the afternoon of the 11th, "The permanent special prosecutor law will be pursued after the 14th," adding, "That will be discussed after the relaxed Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law is processed." He also stated that the 'National Assembly rule amendment' necessary to designate a permanent special prosecutor for Mrs. Kim, led by the opposition party, will be postponed. Yoon Jong-gun, the floor spokesperson, also mentioned, "It is not good to talk about the permanent special prosecutor law already." These remarks reflect the judgment that it would be difficult to create defections within the ruling party if a strong pressure strategy like before is maintained.

Instead of the permanent special prosecutor law, the Democratic Party is now actively working to pass the Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law. Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, said at the morning floor countermeasure meeting, "The Democratic Party has prepared a relaxed Kim Geon-hee special prosecutor law that largely accepts the demands made by ruling party lawmakers so far, and we will pass it at the plenary session on the 14th."

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