‘Myeong Taegyun Special Prosecutor Act’ Passed in National Assembly Plenary Session… Ruling Party’s Kim Sangwook the 'Only' Supporter (Comprehensive)

The 'Myeong Taegyun Special Prosecutor Act (the bill concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate illegal election interference and state manipulation related to Myeong Taegyun)' has passed the plenary session of the National Assembly.

On the 27th, the National Assembly plenary session passed the bill concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate illegal election interference and state affairs manipulation related to Myung Tae-gyun. Photo by Yonhap News

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On the afternoon of the 27th, the National Assembly held a plenary session and put the Myeong Taegyun Special Prosecutor Act to a vote, passing it with 182 votes in favor, 91 against, and 1 abstention out of 274 members present.

Most members of the Democratic Party of Korea supported the passage of the special prosecutor law.

Before the vote, Seo Young-kyo, a Democratic Party lawmaker, who spoke during the debate, said, "Why does the People Power Party oppose the Myeong Taegyun special prosecutor? Because they committed a crime and are opposing it," emphasizing, "This is what Yoon Seok-yeol said at the time when he thoroughly investigated former President Park Geun-hye’s interference in the general election and sought a three-year sentence." She added, "Yoon Seok-yeol interfered in the nomination process. Let’s pass the special prosecutor law and conduct a proper investigation."

On the other hand, the People Power Party decided to oppose the special prosecutor law as the party’s official stance at a party meeting held before the plenary session. This is because the investigation could cover the entire party operation, including the nomination processes for the previous general and presidential elections.

Park Joon-tae, a People Power Party lawmaker who participated in the pre-vote debate between the ruling and opposition parties, argued in opposition, saying, "In short, this is a special investigation law targeting the People Power Party," and claimed, "It is an outrageous special prosecutor bill that intends to set up a special investigation headquarters under the Democratic Party to focus on investigating the People Power Party, making the entire nomination process of the People Power Party for the general election subject to investigation."

Kim Sang-wook, a member of the People Power Party, is attending the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

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In the actual vote, most ruling party lawmakers cast opposing votes, but only lawmaker Kim Sang-wook voted in favor.

Regarding this, Kim met with reporters at the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul, and explained, "To allow the party to face the presidential election with confidence, the 'Myeong Taegyun risk' is something the party must proactively and fairly resolve first."

Kim emphasized, "If there is something wrong, it is only natural to reveal and resolve it, and it is the duty of a public party to provide the people with an opportunity to choose a truly trustworthy leader even in an early presidential election," adding, "Protecting national interests and justice and pursuing what is right come first."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to request Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, to exercise the right to request reconsideration (veto power).

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