Democratic Party Rep. Lee So-young on Forcing 'Prosecutor's Complete Control Removal': "Cannot Agree with This Method"

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Park Jun-i] Lee So-young, a member of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed opposition on the 21st to the attempt by Min Hyung-bae, a member of the same party, to leave the party and participate as an independent in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee's agenda adjustment subcommittee as a non-negotiating group member in order to pass the "Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights" (Geomsu Wanbak) bill, stating, "It is difficult to agree with such a method of passing the bill."

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In a letter sent to Democratic Party members on the same day, Lee said, "I saw the news yesterday that Min Hyung-bae would leave our party to expedite the passage of the bill separating investigation and prosecution," and added, "It was more surprising and bewildering than any news I have encountered recently."

She continued, "It is not right for us, as legislators, to undermine the purpose of the National Assembly Act we created ourselves and resort to irregular methods," emphasizing, "The agenda adjustment subcommittee is structured so that the 'majority party members' and 'other members' are equal in number to prevent the majority party from unilaterally passing bills by numerical superiority."

She further pointed out, "There have been criticisms that designating members close to the Democratic Party as agenda adjustment subcommittee members undermines the original intent, but it is unprecedented for a bona fide Democratic Party member to leave the party to balance these numbers," calling it "a very clear irregular method."

She criticized, "No matter how just the purpose is, we as legislators should not justify or tolerate irregular means ourselves."

Lee referred to the creation of satellite parties, saying, "That was the case with satellite party formation. Now, after more than two years, we have repeatedly reflected on the creation of satellite parties and apologized to the public. Based on that reflection, we declared political reform during the presidential election process and adopted the Satellite Party Prevention Act as party policy," referring to the satellite proportional representation party formation in the 21st general election.

She expressed concern, saying, "Even if the purpose of separating investigation and prosecution is just, the current situation of forcibly pushing it through by resorting to irregular methods and undermining the purpose of the National Assembly Act is no different from the satellite party formation two years ago," and added, "I am not confident in explaining to the public that this is the right thing to do." She continued, "If we ignore the legal procedures and principles we created ourselves to pass the bill we want, regardless of means and methods, we may be giving up on being a democratic party ourselves," adding, "Democracy is a process before it is a result, and not only must the purpose be just, but the means and process must also be honorable to the public."

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