▲ Floor Leader Han Byung-do of the Democratic Party of Korea speaks during a general meeting of lawmakers held at the National Assembly on September 29.
The Democratic Party has decided to determine the timing for processing the "Special Counsel Bill on Distorted Prosecutions"—which seeks to investigate allegations of distorted indictments by the prosecution regarding the Ssangbangwool unauthorized remittance to North Korea case and the Daejang-dong development case—after gathering opinions within the party.
Until right before the general meeting of lawmakers, it was widely expected that the bill would be introduced to the plenary session on October 1 and handled ahead of the parliamentary audit; however, the party appears to have adjusted its pace amid concerns over worsening public opinion.
Floor spokesperson Jeon Eun-soo told reporters that the Democratic Party reached this consensus during a general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly today (September 29).
Floor spokesperson Jeon said, "We also plan to bring up bills at the October 1 plenary session where a filibuster (lawful obstruction of proceedings through unlimited debate) by the People Power Party is expected," adding, "What was discussed today (at the lawmakers' meeting) were the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments."
The Occupational Safety and Health bill imposes fines of up to 5% of operating profits on companies where accidents causing industrial disasters occur involving three or more people annually.
Regarding the amendment to the Act on the Improvement of Urban Areas and Residential Environments, which stipulates raising floor area ratios for private reconstruction and redevelopment projects, the ruling and opposition parties have not been able to narrow their differences over the statutory ceiling on floor area ratios for public redevelopment project operators.
The Democratic Persons of Meritorious Service Act—which provides medical, elderly care, and nursing support to honor those killed, missing, or injured in democratization movements—and the Special Counsel Bill on Distorted Prosecutions were also mentioned as candidates to be introduced to the plenary session, but were excluded.
Regarding the two bills, Floor spokesperson Jeon stated, "Everyone agrees on the necessity," but added, "As for the timing (of processing), we will gather opinion within the party and look into it after the parliamentary audit."
When asked about the timing of processing the Special Counsel Bill on Distorted Prosecutions, she replied, "There was no such discussion."
She added, "It can be understood as an earnest effort to show that the goal of this parliamentary audit is 'All In on people's livelihoods.'"
Last April, the Democratic Party proposed a special counsel bill to investigate whether indictments were distorted in a total of 12 cases, including those related to President Lee Jae-myung, while also determining tasks such as maintaining prosecutions.
As public opinion deteriorated over whether the bill allows for the withdrawal of indictments, the Democratic Party stated it would gather opinions from the public and party members, and has since put off processing the bill.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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