People Power Party: "Prosecutor Reform Only Considers Lee Jae-myung's Interests"… Democratic Party: "Based Solely on Constitutional Spirit"

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[Asia Economy Reporters Junyi Park and Hyunji Kwon] The Democratic Party of Korea has agreed to pass a reform bill separating the prosecution's investigative and prosecutorial powers within April, while the People Power Party and the Justice Party have voiced concerns. In particular, the People Power Party has announced a strong response, vowing to "employ all means" to block the bill's passage.

On the 13th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly that the forced passage of the prosecution reform bill was "truly regrettable and heartbreaking, as it was done solely for the benefit of the Democratic Party and especially for Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's standing adviser, with no regard for the people."

Regarding future responses, he said, "We will thoroughly explain the unfairness to the public and ask for their support," adding, "We will engage in dialogue with the Democratic Party leadership and moderate lawmakers to form a special task force (TF) to draft a proper bill and conduct public opinion campaigns and persuasion efforts." When asked if they would resort to a filibuster, he replied, "We will employ all means permitted by the National Assembly Act."

He also proposed an unlimited debate with Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, on MBC Radio that day. Kwon expressed strong determination, saying, "I want to have an unlimited, time-unrestricted debate with the Democratic Party floor leader under live broadcast," and "I am willing to debate as much as needed." On the same day, Kwon planned to hold an emergency press briefing with members of the Judiciary Committee at the National Assembly.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, also appeared on KBS Radio that day and dismissed the Democratic Party's forced passage of the prosecution reform as a "show of strength," criticizing, "The Democratic Party will neither have benefited nor will benefit from rushing like roasting beans over a lightning fire." Regarding the filibuster, he said, "Since I am not in the National Assembly, I will only cheer from outside, but if I were to do it, I would have done it for about 100 hours," pledging to actively encourage party lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the president-elect's camp did not issue any particular stance. Bae Hyun-jin, spokesperson for the president-elect, dismissed questions about the president-elect's position during a morning briefing, saying, "It is appropriate for the National Assembly to resolve National Assembly matters." She gave a general response, stating, "All national systems, including laws and institutions, should be solely for the people from the people's perspective."

The Justice Party, expressing regret, planned to prepare a response through an emergency joint meeting of the party leadership and lawmakers that afternoon. In a statement the previous day, spokesperson Jang Tae-su said, "As the Justice Party, which requested a review of the achievements and limitations of changes in the criminal justice system such as the adjustment of investigative authority between the police and prosecution and the launch of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, and the establishment of measures to ensure democratic control of the police and prosecution, protection of human rights, and safety from crime including the separation of investigative powers, we find this decision regrettable."

Meanwhile, Democratic Party lawmakers who agreed on the party stance each expressed the bill's validity that day. Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Su-jin responded to criticisms from civic groups that the bill was "too rushed" and "raises concerns about human rights violations," saying, "We are naturally very concerned about those aspects," and explained, "We plan to have a three-month grace period and work on passing a bill for a Special Investigation Agency or a Serious Crime Investigation Agency."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk also rebutted criticism that the prosecution reform was being pushed excessively to block the investigation of Lee Jae-myung, the standing adviser, stating, "The People Power Party's claim that the separation of investigation and prosecution is to block the 'Lee Jae-myung investigation' is truly absurd." He added, "Logically, separating investigation and prosecution cannot and is not intended to stop the ongoing political retaliation investigation aimed at 'killing Lee Jae-myung.' We are solely focused on reforming the criminal justice system to better protect the people's fundamental rights based on constitutional principles."

Kim Dong-yeon, leader of the New Wave Party who declared a merger with the Democratic Party, expressed support through Facebook, saying, "The Democratic Party has adopted the prosecution and media reform bill as party policy! Breaking vested interests and double standards for a fairer society!"

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