The ruling and opposition parties have both proposed special prosecutor laws related to the ballot paper shortage during the June 6 local elections, indicating a shared interest in the issue. However, disagreements persist over details such as the recommendation rights for the special prosecutor. The Democratic Party has specified a third-party recommendation in its proposed law, while the People Power Party insists that the opposition should recommend the special prosecutor.
On July 13, during a Supreme Council meeting, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk questioned, "Can the third-party special prosecutor proposed by the Democratic Party properly investigate the alleged abuse of power by the acting chair of the National Election Commission, Wi Cheol-hwan?" He emphasized the need for a 'public special prosecutor' led by the opposition.
In the special prosecutor law proposed by the Democratic Party on July 9, it was stated that one person would be recommended by the Korean Association of Law Professors, the Korean Bar Association, and the Korean Association of Law Schools, with the president appointing one from these recommendations. However, the opposition continues to argue that it should have the right to recommend the special prosecutor.
Regarding the disagreement over the recommendation rights, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Seong-hwa stated, "We will prioritize discussions and keep negotiations open," but many in the political arena believe that the Democratic Party's position is likely to prevail.
Some members of the People Power Party remain skeptical, suspecting that the Democratic Party may appear to support the special prosecutor while actually stalling the process. A member of the National Assembly Special Committee on the ballot paper shortage remarked, "If the Democratic Party is sincere about the special prosecutor, shouldn’t they have proposed the special prosecutor law immediately after the legislative committee was convened instead of the criminal procedure law?"
During the second expert meeting held by the National Assembly Special Committee, questions were raised about the delay in taking concrete actions regarding the special prosecutor. Lee Hee-beom, head of the Korean NGO Council, stated, "The public wants to hear how the recount and special prosecutor will be conducted. Institutional improvements are a secondary issue," expressing disappointment over the lack of progress.
Additionally, as the People Power Party is currently boycotting participation in standing committees in protest against the Democratic Party's unilateral formation of committees, there are concerns that the negotiations could hinder the processing of the special prosecutor bill. If the ruling party uses the negotiations as a pretext to draw the opposition into the standing committee, it could prolong the discussions.
On July 13, during a Supreme Council meeting, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk questioned, "Can the third-party special prosecutor proposed by the Democratic Party properly investigate the alleged abuse of power by the acting chair of the National Election Commission, Wi Cheol-hwan?" He emphasized the need for a 'public special prosecutor' led by the opposition.
In the special prosecutor law proposed by the Democratic Party on July 9, it was stated that one person would be recommended by the Korean Association of Law Professors, the Korean Bar Association, and the Korean Association of Law Schools, with the president appointing one from these recommendations. However, the opposition continues to argue that it should have the right to recommend the special prosecutor.
Regarding the disagreement over the recommendation rights, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Seong-hwa stated, "We will prioritize discussions and keep negotiations open," but many in the political arena believe that the Democratic Party's position is likely to prevail.
Some members of the People Power Party remain skeptical, suspecting that the Democratic Party may appear to support the special prosecutor while actually stalling the process. A member of the National Assembly Special Committee on the ballot paper shortage remarked, "If the Democratic Party is sincere about the special prosecutor, shouldn’t they have proposed the special prosecutor law immediately after the legislative committee was convened instead of the criminal procedure law?"
During the second expert meeting held by the National Assembly Special Committee, questions were raised about the delay in taking concrete actions regarding the special prosecutor. Lee Hee-beom, head of the Korean NGO Council, stated, "The public wants to hear how the recount and special prosecutor will be conducted. Institutional improvements are a secondary issue," expressing disappointment over the lack of progress.
Additionally, as the People Power Party is currently boycotting participation in standing committees in protest against the Democratic Party's unilateral formation of committees, there are concerns that the negotiations could hinder the processing of the special prosecutor bill. If the ruling party uses the negotiations as a pretext to draw the opposition into the standing committee, it could prolong the discussions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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