The ruling and opposition parties are discussing the appointment process for a special inspector to monitor misconduct involving President Lee Jae-myung and individuals with special ties to the presidency, but they are showing differences in their positions. The Democratic Party has pointed out that the People Power Party is delaying negotiations, while the People Power Party has countered that discussions will conclude early next week. Attention is focused on whether the matter can be resolved by the end of August, as the Democratic Party has stated.
Kim Sung-hwa, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, told reporters after a meeting of the party's floor leadership on August 4, "The People Power Party has said that discussions on the special inspector are difficult this week, which is causing delays in negotiations." The day before, Han Byung-do, the party's acting leader and floor leader, had announced plans to send a recommendation letter to the Korean Bar Association with the cooperation of the People Power Party, but this did not materialize.
However, Choi Eun-seok, the People Power Party's chief floor spokesperson, stated in a phone interview with Aju Economy that "it seems likely that negotiations can be concluded early next week. We are not opposed to the appointment of a special inspector."
Previously, the ruling and opposition parties agreed in April to each recommend one candidate, with the remaining candidate to be recommended by the Korean Bar Association. Under the special inspector system, the National Assembly recommends three candidates, from which the president appoints one. If the president appoints a special inspector, the system will be revived for the first time in ten years, as neither the Moon Jae-in nor Yoon Suk-yeol administrations appointed one.
However, the People Power Party recommended lawyer Kang Ji-sik in April, but the Democratic Party delayed its recommendation, causing the process to stall. In this regard, Cheon Jun-ho, the Democratic Party's deputy floor leader, explained to reporters on July 31, "In April, the president strongly requested that the appointment be made, and we discussed proceeding together through a 2+2 meeting with the People Power Party, but they announced it first. There were difficulties in proceeding with the process before the local elections."
He added, "If we had announced it before the local elections, it could have influenced the election. If the National Assembly had been organized after the elections, we would have proceeded immediately, but the organization was delayed. If we delay further, it will be difficult to finalize before the regular session of the National Assembly begins."
Meanwhile, President Lee stated during a press conference on July 30 last year, "For the sake of my own safety as someone in power, it is better to be subject to checks," emphasizing the need for the appointment of a special inspector. The special inspector must be a legal professional with over 15 years of experience as a judge, prosecutor, or lawyer, and both Kang and Choi Gil-soo, recommended by the Democratic Party, are former prosecutors.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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