National Assembly Subcommittee Passes Bill to Extend Second Independent Counsel Investigation by 30 Days

30-Day Extension of Second Independent Counsel and Discussions on Criminal Procedure Act Revision

The National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee held a meeting of its Bill Sub-Committee 1 on the 10th and passed, led by the ruling party, a bill to extend the investigation period of the so-called "three special counsels"—covering insurrection, First Lady Kim Gun-hee, and the death of Marine Corporal Chae—by an additional 30 days. On the same day, the Kwak Chae-young team for the second comprehensive independent counsel applied for an arrest warrant for Lee Si-won, former senior presidential secretary for discipline, regarding suspicions of external pressure on the investigation into the Corporal Chae case. Introduced to shore up the tight investigation schedule, this bill provides the legal groundwork for the counsel team to thoroughly uncover remaining core suspicions. The 30-day extension is evaluated as a substantial increase in resources for the team, which must analyze vast military and investigative records and conduct summonses of related persons.

The political process of passing the special counsel extension bill in the subcommittee was accompanied by partisan wrangling. The ruling party argues that securing the investigation period is essential for uncovering the truth. Conversely, the opposition raised concerns about the special counsel's political neutrality and the potential for abuse of investigation, pointing out procedural limits. Despite this conflict, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed the extension, adding momentum to the remaining schedule. It is forecast that if this bill passes the plenary session, the counsel team will more solidly pursue legal battles against key figures, including former Secretary Lee, during the one-month grace period.

Meanwhile, discussions on a revision to the Criminal Procedure Act to completely abolish prosecutors' direct investigation powers are also heating up the National Assembly. Democratic Party spokesperson Lee Joo-hee stated in a written briefing on the 11th that the party would inevitably prepare robust supplementary measures to ensure citizens do not suffer harm amidst the controversy over abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation authority, sparked by the Jang Yoon-kyung incident. As social concerns over the existing revision rise, within the Democratic Party, lawmakers such as Hong Ki-won have introduced a separate amendment centered on partially retaining supplementary investigation authority, proceeding with cautious legislative procedures. However, members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee pointed out the lack of concrete means to control abuses of investigation power, such as evidence omission, signaling intense party-government discussions ahead.

Weakening Legislative Basis for 'Yellow Envelope' Law and Political Fallout

Interpretations of the so-called "Yellow Envelope Law" (revision of the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance Act), which limits the scope of employer immunity in cases of work-related disasters, are sharply divided between the ruling and opposition parties. People Power Party lawmaker Lim Ja-claimed via SNS on the 10th that the Supreme Court's overturning of lower court rulings in the CJ Korea Express case has collapsed the core legislative basis for the bill. Criticizing the legislation pushed by the Democratic Party, Rep. Lim argued that it effectively encourages illegal strikes. The recent Supreme Court ruling limited the parent company's liability to some extent, unlike the lower courts, necessitating a political re-examination of the bill's validity.

The Supreme Court's recent decision modified the scope of liability recognized by lower courts, acting as a new variable in the political discussion surrounding the bill.

In response to the opposition's criticism, the ruling party counters that institutional mechanisms to strictly hold employers accountable remain valid. Labor and management groups are also sharply clashing according to their respective interests, intensifying off-floor lobbying for the bill's passage. While labor circles emphasize the necessity of expanding safety nets for workers, management groups argue that they must prevent excessive legal burdens on companies and the potential worsening of labor disputes. Consequently, the bill is likely to drift without even starting substantive discussions at the standing committee level. As legal battles over the interpretation of the Supreme Court's ruling text expand into the political sphere, legislative delays appear inevitable.

New Legislation to Protect Socially Vulnerable and Public Service Workers

Separately, various new bills are being introduced to protect the rights and interests of the socially vulnerable and public service workers. Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Im Ki-mo represented a bill to amend the Rare and Intractable Disease Management Act, significantly simplifying drug support procedures for patients with rare and incurable diseases and legally allowing the administration of lab-made therapeutics. This measure is intended to directly guarantee the right to survival for patients suffering from high treatment costs and delayed administration, aiming to resolve legal blind spots in new drug development and rare disease treatment. If passed, the bill would pave the way for tens of thousands of rare disease patients annually to receive new drug treatments early after rigorous medical review.

A plan to support industrial accident insurance premiums for public and social service workers, such as childcare teachers, with national funds is also under review by the legislature. Also represented by lawmaker Im, the Act on State Support for Industrial Accident Insurance Premiums for Public and Social Service Workers is expected to alleviate the heavy financial burden on small daycare centers and welfare facilities. Additionally, lawmaker Lee Soo-jin introduced a bill to strictly prohibit workplace bullying against nurses—often referred to as "ta-um" (burning)—and specify disciplinary procedures for perpetrators. The aim is to protect medical personnel from verbal abuse and unfair instructions within hospitals, thereby alleviating chronic manpower shortages.

Future Legislative Schedule and Anticipated Policy Impact

According to the National Assembly Secretariat, Speaker Cho Jeong-sik appointed former Senior Expert Secretary for Political Affairs Jeong Myeong-ho as Legislative Vice Minister and former Legislative Planning Officer Kim Sang-su as Vice Secretary General on the 10th. This personnel reshuffle is interpreted as an organizational measure to smoothly process numerous complex bills as plenary sessions and standing committee activities ramp up. It is seen as an effort to accelerate the substantive review of controversial bills and minimize legislative gaps caused by political confrontation. The Speaker's intent appears to be facilitating the coordination of sharply divisive agendas between the ruling and opposition parties by strengthening legal review capabilities.

In summary, the special counsel extension bill awaits a plenary vote, and its passage would allow the remaining investigations to conclude. For the Criminal Procedure Act revision, which adjusts prosecutorial investigation powers, it is essential to craft effective supplementary measures that quell concerns from both within and outside the party. Compromise is likely to be sought in a direction that partially retains supplementary investigation authority rather than completely abolishing it. Furthermore, the Yellow Envelope Law now faces the task of comprehensively readjusting the scope of application and liability to reflect the Supreme Court's latest ruling. Bills requiring social consensus, such as support for rare disease drugs and state funding of insurance premiums for public service workers, will achieve substantive legislative results only when closely linked with budget securing measures from relevant ministries. How the National Assembly reaches consensus on these heavy legislative issues during its remaining term will significantly impact future national policy directions and citizens' daily lives.