On July 30, the ruling and opposition parties reached an agreement in the National Assembly to pass a special prosecutor bill and an extension of the national investigation into issues related to voter rights violations during the June 3 local elections. However, amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act and the National Assembly Act were delayed due to a filibuster initiated by the opposition. The ruling party plans to counter the unlimited debate with a motion to end it and pass both bills sequentially.
During the session, the National Assembly approved the bill concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of voter rights violations, including the shortage of ballots during the 9th nationwide local elections, with 226 votes in favor out of 228 present. The Reform Party voted against the bill. As a result, the allegations surrounding the operations of the National Election Commission related to the ballot shortage will now be subject to a special prosecutor's investigation.
The special prosecutor will be appointed by President Lee Jae-myung from one of two candidates jointly recommended by the Democratic Party and the People Power Party following the legal procedures. The investigation period is set for 90 days, with a possible extension of up to 60 days. An additional 20 days will be allocated for preparation. The scope of the special prosecutor's investigation, which was a point of contention between the parties, includes the response to the voter rights violations during the June 3 elections, the overall operations of the Election Commission, and the management, security, and operation of the election management system.
The National Assembly also extended the activity period of the Special Committee for National Investigation into voter rights violations and election management reform by 30 days, now set to conclude on August 31. The committee plans to hold another hearing on August 10 and will recheck the ballots at the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park on August 18. A final report will be adopted on August 28, concluding their activities.
Additionally, amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, which abolish supplementary investigation rights for prosecutors, and amendments to the National Assembly Act aimed at shortening the fast-track process were also brought to the floor. These bills were pushed through by the Democratic Party in a rapid manner, prompting the People Power Party to condemn the unilateral legislative efforts outside the assembly hall. They expressed concerns about potential negative consequences following the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, calling for careful discussion.
People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik stated, "In the 'Jang Yun-ki case,' there was not a single victim on the side of the victims. If there were no supplementary investigation rights, the truth would have been buried underground," emphasizing that these rights are a means of protecting victims. He urged President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power even if the Criminal Procedure Act amendment passes the National Assembly.
Following the protest, the opposition began unlimited debate on the Criminal Procedure Act amendment. The first speaker, Representative Joo Ho-young, claimed, "In the first half of the 22nd National Assembly alone, a staggering 320 bills were passed unilaterally by the Democratic Party," urging members to consider what truly serves the public as constitutional institutions.
In response, the Democratic Party submitted a motion to end the unlimited debate immediately after it began. Their strategy is to force a vote on the amendment after 24 hours, effectively halting the unlimited debate.
The People Power Party plans to request unlimited debate on the National Assembly Act amendment, which is expected to be presented after the Criminal Procedure Act amendment passes. In response, the Democratic Party successfully passed a motion to shorten the July session until the 31st, as unlimited debate automatically ends when the session concludes.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly elected Kim Jeong-jae of the People Power Party as the chair of the Gender Equality and Family Committee, filling all committee chair positions in the second half of the 22nd National Assembly.
During the session, the National Assembly approved the bill concerning the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate allegations of voter rights violations, including the shortage of ballots during the 9th nationwide local elections, with 226 votes in favor out of 228 present. The Reform Party voted against the bill. As a result, the allegations surrounding the operations of the National Election Commission related to the ballot shortage will now be subject to a special prosecutor's investigation.
The special prosecutor will be appointed by President Lee Jae-myung from one of two candidates jointly recommended by the Democratic Party and the People Power Party following the legal procedures. The investigation period is set for 90 days, with a possible extension of up to 60 days. An additional 20 days will be allocated for preparation. The scope of the special prosecutor's investigation, which was a point of contention between the parties, includes the response to the voter rights violations during the June 3 elections, the overall operations of the Election Commission, and the management, security, and operation of the election management system.
The National Assembly also extended the activity period of the Special Committee for National Investigation into voter rights violations and election management reform by 30 days, now set to conclude on August 31. The committee plans to hold another hearing on August 10 and will recheck the ballots at the Handball Stadium in Olympic Park on August 18. A final report will be adopted on August 28, concluding their activities.
Additionally, amendments to the Criminal Procedure Act, which abolish supplementary investigation rights for prosecutors, and amendments to the National Assembly Act aimed at shortening the fast-track process were also brought to the floor. These bills were pushed through by the Democratic Party in a rapid manner, prompting the People Power Party to condemn the unilateral legislative efforts outside the assembly hall. They expressed concerns about potential negative consequences following the abolition of supplementary investigation rights, calling for careful discussion.
People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik stated, "In the 'Jang Yun-ki case,' there was not a single victim on the side of the victims. If there were no supplementary investigation rights, the truth would have been buried underground," emphasizing that these rights are a means of protecting victims. He urged President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his veto power even if the Criminal Procedure Act amendment passes the National Assembly.
Following the protest, the opposition began unlimited debate on the Criminal Procedure Act amendment. The first speaker, Representative Joo Ho-young, claimed, "In the first half of the 22nd National Assembly alone, a staggering 320 bills were passed unilaterally by the Democratic Party," urging members to consider what truly serves the public as constitutional institutions.
In response, the Democratic Party submitted a motion to end the unlimited debate immediately after it began. Their strategy is to force a vote on the amendment after 24 hours, effectively halting the unlimited debate.
The People Power Party plans to request unlimited debate on the National Assembly Act amendment, which is expected to be presented after the Criminal Procedure Act amendment passes. In response, the Democratic Party successfully passed a motion to shorten the July session until the 31st, as unlimited debate automatically ends when the session concludes.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly elected Kim Jeong-jae of the People Power Party as the chair of the Gender Equality and Family Committee, filling all committee chair positions in the second half of the 22nd National Assembly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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