“Song Eon-seok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, and Cheon Ha-ram, the floor leader of the Reform New Party, are shaking hands at the National Assembly on the 17th to promote a special investigation into the ‘Unification Church Gate’ scandal. According to reports, the People Power Party and the Reform New Party are working together to jointly propose the ‘Unification Church Special Prosecutor Act’ to investigate allegations of bribery involving the Unification Church. They have reportedly reached a broad agreement on the major issue of who holds the right to recommend the special prosecutor.
On the 18th, political sources indicated that the two parties are ironing out their differences on the matter of recommending the special prosecutor, with the goal of a joint proposal within the week. Initially, the People Power Party wanted to give the recommendation rights to legal experts such as the Korean Bar Association or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, while the Reform New Party argued that a third party free from Unification Church involvement claims should have the rights.
After discussions, it is said that both parties leaned towards the ‘legal experts’ recommendation plan’ suggested by the People Power Party. However, they are continuing discussions on a ‘screening’ process where the Reform New Party participates in narrowing down multiple special prosecutor candidates proposed by the legal community.
Cheon Ha-ram, the floor leader of the Reform New Party, emphasized the necessity of the Reform New Party’s procedural involvement to appoint a fair special prosecutor, stating that the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party, both implicated in the allegations, could not guarantee the fairness.
The two parties also agreed on the scope of the special prosecutor’s investigation. They decided to focus primarily on the bribery allegations between the Unification Church and Democratic Party figures for prompt legislative proposal and to pressure the ruling party, while the allegations of bribery cover-up involving the Min Jung-gi special prosecutor’s team would be handled by a separate special investigation.
Song Eon-seok said at the party’s highest committee meeting that they have reached a consensus on the overall framework and content of the special prosecutor’s composition. He also mentioned that they would quickly propose the additional investigation related to the Min Jung-gi special prosecutor in cooperation with the Reform New Party and other opposition parties. Cheon Ha-ram likewise acknowledged the need to investigate allegations that the ruling party attempted to cover up the Unification Church-related scandal, leaving room for further cooperation.
Both parties plan to jointly propose the Unification Church Special Prosecutor Act as soon as they conclude the detailed negotiations.
Choi Bo-yoon, the chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, commented post-meeting that while the Reform New Party made proposals, the party had its own ongoing discussions. He stated that they would coordinate and appropriately discuss parts where both parties could agree before making an announcement.”