PPP Rejects DP's 'Third-Party Recommendation' Proposal for NEC Special Counsel, Citing Lack of Effectiveness

▲ Rep. Joo Jin-woo, head of the special committee, delivers opening remarks at the first meeting of the Special Committee on Preventing the Cancellation of Lee Jae-myung's Trial at the National Assembly on June 22.

The People Power Party (PPP) has effectively expressed its opposition to the proposal by a Democratic Party (DP) floor leader to have a third party recommend a special counsel to investigate the recent ballot paper shortage at the National Election Commission (NEC).

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the PPP, who chairs the National Assembly's special investigation committee, said during a briefing, "Even if a third party recommends a special counsel, isn't it the President who ultimately appoints them? Since the state failed to take necessary measures (to protect voting rights), aren't the President, the government, and the NEC the most important subjects of the investigation?" He added, "In that sense, having the opposition party recommend the counsel would be much more helpful in uncovering the substantive truth behind the ballot shortage."

Rep. Joo Jin-woo, a member of the special committee, wrote on Facebook, "The DP floor leader says they will propose a special counsel bill where a third party, such as the Korean Bar Association, makes the recommendation. That is unacceptable." He continued, "A special counsel must be free from any government influence to conduct an investigation without sanctuary and to reform the election system."

He further questioned, "When the DP was in the opposition, they insisted on selecting the special counsel themselves for all cases, including the 'Marine Corps death' probe. Why has their stance changed 180 degrees since then?" He argued, "A special counsel not recommended by the PPP would be ineffective. We must fundamentally exclude any influence from the DP over the special counsel."

In another Facebook post, Rep. Joo shared a news headline noting that Wi Chul-hwan, the acting chairman of the NEC, is a former president of the Korean Bar Association. He wrote, "The Korean Bar Association recommending a special counsel to investigate Wi Chul-hwan, who is a former president of that same association? Is the DP playing games?"

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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