People Power Party Reaches Conclusion to Reconsider Mediation Proposal on Complete Prosecution Reform... Flood of Criticism from Democratic Party

Yoon Ho-jung, Co-Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the People Power Party demands a reconsideration of the compromise plan on the complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights (Geomsu Wanbak) agreed upon by both ruling and opposition parties, the Democratic Party warned on the 25th that it would forcibly pass the bill in the April extraordinary session of the National Assembly, leveraging its overwhelming majority.

Yoon Ho-jung, the emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party, criticized at the emergency committee meeting that day, "Before the ink on the bipartisan agreement even dries, there are words from the People Power Party denying the agreement," adding, "The leader of the People Power Party is wavering due to a single phone call from Han Dong-hoon, the nominee for Minister of Justice. It is truly pitiful to think about how many sins must have been committed for this to happen."

He continued, "The Democratic Party will never tolerate any attempt by the People Power Party to break the bipartisan agreement," and warned, "We declare in advance that if the People Power Party breaks the agreement, we will pass the prosecutorial reform bill in the National Assembly immediately."

Jin Sung-jun, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, also appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day, stating, "If the People Power Party breaks this compromise plan, we will operate the National Assembly reflecting the Democratic Party's position accepting Speaker Park Byeong-seok's mediation plan," and added, "The Democratic Party will consult with the Speaker and proceed with the original bill."

He further said, "(If the agreement is broken) no agreement can be trusted anymore, and unless there is direct negotiation and agreement with the President, there is no guarantee that the agreement will be upheld."

He added, "If the bipartisan political agreement is broken, can the work needed by the new government proceed smoothly in the National Assembly? They must keep in mind that they will not gain any cooperation from the opposition party."

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

원본보기 아이콘

Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Sang-ho also voiced criticism as the People Power Party hinted at the need to reconsider the Geomsu Wanbak compromise plan. On the same day on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' Woo said, "If the agreement is overturned as People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok said at today's Supreme Council meeting, this political situation is almost over."

He added, "If (Lee's words) become reality, the position of the floor leader will effectively have no meaning, and the party caucus itself will be nullified," and said, "If the party leader can nullify the results of the caucus, it would cause a very serious problem."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party Supreme Council decided at a morning meeting that day to reconsider the Geomsu Wanbak compromise plan from scratch. At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, Lee said, "There is great public concern about stripping the prosecution of investigation rights related to corrupt public officials or election-related investigations. The National Assembly must handle this issue more cautiously."

He also said, "I have no choice but to ask the Democratic Party whether this is an appropriate time to push through a system that shakes the foundation of South Korea's criminal justice system."

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.