Song Eon-seok: 'Presidential Appointment of Special Prosecutor Violates Rule of Law'

Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the 'manipulated prosecution special prosecutor bill' being pushed by the Democratic Party, stating, "The president appointing a special prosecutor goes against the principle of modern rule of law." He characterized the bill as akin to 'a thief appointing the police,' pointing out it as a privilege for the president. Song claimed that testimony proving the guilt of then-Gyeonggi Governor Lee Jae-myung emerged during the parliamentary inquiry led by the Democratic Party. He made these remarks while referencing statements from Bang Yong-cheol, former vice president of Ssangbangul, and testimony from Kim Sung-tae, former chairman of Ssangbangul.

Song criticized the move to a special prosecutor despite the parliamentary inquiry's findings, arguing, "It's like a thief-appointed police force trying to make the thief's crimes disappear." He asserted that the special prosecutor would attempt to force false investigations and absurd cancellations of indictments. Furthermore, he emphasized that it fundamentally contradicts the principle of the rule of law for the president to appoint a special prosecutor who would then seek to invalidate the appointing authority's trial.

Song mentioned that the June 3rd local elections would be a referendum on the legitimacy of canceling the presidential indictment, adding that it would be an election asking whether people choose a nation of special prosecutors and unfairness or a nation of rule of law and justice. While acknowledging the limited legal means available to a minority party, he warned that the arrogance of believing one can do as one pleases just because of numerical superiority would not be tolerated by the public. Song Eon-seok vowed to utilize all available means and methods within the National Assembly to shift the public's warning gaze to the parliamentary arena and fight until the end.

Meanwhile, Song positively evaluated Jo Eung-cheon's proposal for a joint conference of metropolitan mayoral candidates from parties sharing common ground, calling it a "timely and important proposal for all like-minded parties to gather and speak with one voice." He suggested the need to pursue meetings with leaders of parties opposing the special prosecutor, such as the Justice Party.