The leadership of the People’s Power Party strongly opposed the amended “Kim Geon-hee Special Act” proposed by the Democratic Party for the parliamentary session on the 14th, stating on the 12th, “We will definitely block this deceptive and evil law.” During a strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Chu Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People’s Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party’s move as an unprecedented case of legislative manipulation and a reckless rush to legislation, saying that the idea of hastily amending a law just two days before the plenary session shows a lack of precedent. He condemned the Democratic Party’s intention to submit the amendment quickly as an admission that the original proposal for the special prosecutor law was unconstitutional and violated human rights, as well as undermining the separation of powers.
Chu further argued that treating the creation of national laws as a matter for political bargaining and misusing the special prosecutor as a divisive attack card against rival parties is a low political tactic. He stated that there is no reason for the People’s Power Party to be involved in the Democratic Party’s legislative manipulation for political purposes and reiterated his promise to block deceptive and harmful laws.
Previously, the Democratic Party announced that it would submit an amended “Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law” on the 14th, targeting the investigation on allegations related to Kim Geon-hee, including stock manipulation allegations concerning Deutsche Motors and interference in the election nomination process. The new proposal also changes how the special prosecutor is recommended, involving third parties like the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Democratic Party aims to secure enough votes, possibly drawing out defectors from the ruling party if President Yoon Suk-yeol exercises his right to request a reconsideration, aiming to get the bill passed.
The People’s Power Party views the amendment as a tactic to alleviate increased concerns within the opposition about legal risks surrounding the Democratic Party’s leader Lee Jae-myung’s impending court ruling for election law violations. Although there were some calls for proposing the “Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Law” themselves, a unified stance against the amendment has formed following President Yoon’s pledge for nationwide reform.