While the Democratic Party of Korea passed the bill to “stand alone” in the Legislative and Judiciary Committee of the National Assembly for the complete deprivation of the prosecution’s investigative powers, President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol proposed a referendum.
In a situation where the Democratic Party is trying to enforce a parliamentary dictatorship, he said that he should directly ask the will of the people, and he would report to Yoon-elect a plan for a referendum on a scrutiny and complete inspection.
Jang Je-won “Secretary office decided to propose a referendum to the elected person”
Jang Je-won, chief of the office of the elected secretary-general, said on the 27th at the press office in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, “Of course, I believe that the current president will exercise his veto power to protect the spirit of the Constitution and uphold the constitutional values of the Democratic Party.” If that’s the case, shouldn’t we have no choice but to ask the people directly?” he asked.
Chief Secretary Jang said, “Based on the common sense, in order to uphold the spirit of the Constitution, the office of the elected secretary is going to report to Yoon Seok-yeol the proposal to be submitted to a national referendum.” “he said.
Regarding the timing of the referendum, Rep. Jang said, “The review should continue tentatively, but in terms of cost, if it is held together during the local election (June 1), you can ask directly without incurring a large cost.”
Earlier, President-elect Yoon went to the office of the transition committee in Tongui-dong on the same day and briefly replied, “The party will take care of it” regarding the passage of the Judiciary Committee.
Yoon’s reaction was interpreted as that after observing the situation of the National Assembly, which is the legislative branch, he would come up with a countermeasure if the Inspection and Overhaul Bill passes the plenary session of the National Assembly.
When the bill crosses the threshold of the National Assembly, there was a prospect that President-elect Yoon would be a multiplier, as only the procedure of promulgating the bill or exercising the veto by President Moon Jae-in would ultimately be left.
It is unclear whether a referendum will actually be possible. According to Article 72 of the Constitution, if the President deems it necessary, important policies related to foreign affairs, national defense, unification, and other important national security may be submitted to a referendum.
Although there are opinions from various circles that the overhaul bill shakes the criminal justice system, opinions may differ as to whether this is an important policy related to foreign affairs, defense, unification, and other national security stipulated by the Constitution. It is also analyzed that the likelihood of President Moon accepting it is low.
Democratic Party counts down the plenary session
At around 0:11 on the 27th, the Democratic Party alone passed the Prosecutor’s Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act at the National Assembly Judiciary Committee. Amid the opposition of the people, 11 members of the Democratic Party, including 10 lawmakers from the Democratic Party and independent lawmaker Min Hyung-bae, who has been criticized for disguising themselves from the agenda to neutralize the agenda coordination committee, stood up and expressed their consent.
The Democratic Party plans to present a bill that has passed the Judiciary Committee to the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th. The people’s power is trying to delay the passage of the bill as much as possible through a filibuster (unlimited debate), but even this will start a filibuster when the Democratic Party (171 seats), pro-Democratic lawmakers (7 seats), and the Justice Party (6 seats) join. It can be compulsorily closed after time. The National Assembly Act requires a three-fifths majority of the current lawmakers to suspend the filibuster.
According to the Democratic Party’s plan, if the bill is passed around the 30th, the Democratic Party plans to quickly complete the National Assembly process and transfer the bill to the government. The plan is to have the bill passed over to the cabinet meeting to be passed on May 3 at the cabinet meeting presided over by President Moon.
