Opposition Slams Special Prosecutor Bill as 'Legislative Violence,' Undermining Rule of Law
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- South Korean opposition parties are vehemently criticizing a proposed special prosecutor bill targeting the current administration, calling it an 'legislative ํญ๊ฑฐ' (act of violence).
- They argue the bill, which seeks to investigate alleged 'manipulated indictments,' is akin to a 'thief appointing the police' and fundamentally undermines the rule of law.
- Critics contend the bill is a political maneuver to protect the president and obstruct ongoing judicial processes, especially with local elections approaching.
The proposed 'Special Prosecutor Act for Manipulated Indictments' by the Democratic Party has ignited fierce opposition from the People Power Party and the Reform Party, who decry it as an unprecedented 'legislative ํญ๊ฑฐ' (act of violence) and a direct assault on the nation's legal principles. Their unified condemnation highlights a deep political chasm and a starkly different interpretation of justice and due process.
This special prosecutor for indictment cancellation is like a thief appointing the police.
From the perspective of the opposition, this bill represents a dangerous perversion of the legal system. They liken it to a scenario where a thief dictates to the police, arguing that allowing the president to appoint a special prosecutor to review cases involving his own alleged wrongdoings is a blatant violation of the fundamental legal tenet that no one can be a judge in their own case. This, they assert, is not just a political dispute but a challenge to the very foundation of modern jurisprudence and the separation of powers.
This is an unprecedented 'legislative ํญ๊ฑฐ' (act of violence) in the history of democratic nations worldwide, and it directly negates the constitutional order of the Republic of Korea.
Furthermore, the timing of this proposal, with local elections looming, is viewed with deep suspicion. Opposition lawmakers accuse the Democratic Party of orchestrating a 'political maneuver' to create a 'pre-emptive defense shield' for the president, rather than genuinely seeking truth or justice. They argue that if the president is innocent, the proper venue for proving it is through the existing legal and judicial processes, not through a specially crafted law designed to nullify ongoing trials and investigations.
The principle that no one can be a judge in their own case, which has existed since ancient Roman law, is the principle that penetrates the rule of law and judicial fairness.
This intense debate underscores a critical divergence in how political power and legal accountability are perceived in South Korea. While the proponents may frame it as a necessary check on executive power, the opposition views it as an egregious abuse of legislative authority, a 'national disgrace,' and a step towards 'soft dictatorship.' The rhetoric employedโ'thief appointing police,' 'monster legislation,' 'rule of law negation'โreflects the high stakes and the profound distrust that characterizes the current political climate.
This special prosecutor bill, which the Democratic Party is pushing for, is a direct negation of the rule of law in the Republic of Korea itself.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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