Opposition Party Plans to Handle Bill in Full Judiciary Committee Next Week, Followed by Plenary Session
박범계, the head of the subcommittee of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee, is seen speaking at a meeting concerning the legislation for appointing a special prosecutor to investigate the truth behind the alleged rebellion and foreign interference acts by the Yoon Seok-yeol government, in Seoul’s Yeouido National Assembly on the 10th. (Photo credit: News1 김민지 기자, January 10, 2025)
Reporters: Lim Yoon-ji & Jo Hyun-ki — The special prosecutor bill for the investigation of alleged rebellion has passed through the National Assembly’s Legislative and Judiciary Committee’s subcommittee on the 10th. This bill allows the appointment of special prosecutors recommended by the Chief Justice without the veto power previously held by the opposition party.
The subcommittee approved the bill titled “Legislation for the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to Investigate the Alleged Acts of Rebellion and Foreign Interference by the Yoon Seok-yeol Government.”
With the Democratic Party set to handle the second rebellion special prosecutor bill next week, it is expected that the bills passed by the subcommittee will be introduced in the full session of the Judiciary Committee as early as the beginning of next week.
The newly reintroduced rebellion special prosecutor bill by the six opposition parties includes foreign interference and crime. The investigation period has been reduced by 20 days compared to previous special prosecutors, allowing 70 days of investigation with a possible 30-day extension if necessary.
Most notably, the method for recommending the special prosecutor has been changed from opposition party recommendation to Chief Justice recommendation. The Chief Justice will recommend two candidates, and the President will appoint one of the two. Additionally, the veto power allowing the opposition to oppose a nominee is not included in this bill. It is interpreted politically as a measure considering potential defections from the ruling party.