Legislation Committee Sees Ruling, Opposition Clash Over Special Prosecutor Bill

The ruling and opposition parties clashed on the 6th in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee over the 'Special Prosecutor Bill for Manipulated Prosecutions of the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration,' proposed by the Democratic Party of Korea, citing debates over the necessity of investigation and constitutionality.

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Dong-a argued that a special prosecutor is needed to achieve a historical break from investigations and prosecutions rife with illegality and unlawfulness. Lawmaker Jeon Hyun-hee pointed to confirmed circumstances of manipulated prosecutions, including the 'salmon drinking party' used for alleged statement coercion and witness pressure, stating that opposing a special prosecutor is tantamount to opposing the investigation of crimes.

People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun criticized the bill, calling it a 'self-indictment cancellation' bill. Lawmaker Kwak Kyu-taek argued that the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has jurisdiction over investigations into alleged manipulated prosecutions.

While emphasizing the need for a special prosecutor, the Democratic Party announced its intention to delay the bill's processing until after the local elections. Floor leader Han Byung-do stated that a national consensus has formed regarding the necessity of a special prosecutor, but the timing, procedures, and content will be determined after the local elections, following consultations with the public and party members.

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon expressed agreement with the basic legislative intent of the special prosecutor bill, noting that the scope of the special prosecutor's authority and the targets of investigation are matters to be decided through parliamentary deliberation.