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🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Ruling Party Slams Opposition's Move to Abolish Investigation Rights, Calls it 'Government's Defeat'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • The ruling People Power Party criticized the Democratic Party's decision to abolish supplementary investigation rights, calling it a 'defeat for the government'.
  • Party leaders accused President Lee Jae-myung of being swayed by the Democratic Party's hardliners, signaling the start of his 'lame duck' period.
  • The Justice Minister's resignation was framed as an attempt to avoid responsibility rather than a genuine stand against the policy.

South Korea's ruling People Power Party launched a scathing attack on the main opposition Democratic Party's move to abolish supplementary investigation rights, branding it a 'defeat for the government' and a 'victory for the ruling party's hardliners.' The criticism came as the Democratic Party adopted the abolition as its official party platform.

The government's defeat, the ruling party's hardliners' complete victory.

— Jung Jin-sukThe People Power Party floor leader described the Democratic Party's adoption of abolishing supplementary investigation rights as a party platform.

People Power Party floor leader Jung Jin-suk stated on Facebook that the Justice Minister's resignation and other remarks indicated the government's cautious stance on the supplementary investigation rights. However, he accused President Lee Jae-myung of failing to control the Democratic Party's extreme stance on abolishing these rights. Jung suggested that President Lee was being influenced by the hardliners within his party, particularly as he would need their support for future prosecutorial reforms.

This is the start of the Lee Jae-myung government's lame duck period.

— Jung Jin-sukThe People Power Party floor leader commented on the political implications of the Democratic Party's decision.

Jung further characterized the Democratic Party's decision as the 'start of the Lee Jae-myung government's lame duck period.' Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk echoed these sentiments, highlighting opposition from left-leaning legal professionals and progressive civic groups. He noted that even Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho opposed the policy, suggesting it was 'the last conscience of someone who witnessed the crime scene.' Jang warned that dismantling the prosecution service would inevitably lead to the downfall of the administration.

It will be the last conscience of someone who witnessed the crime scene.

— Jang Dong-hyukThe People Power Party leader commented on Justice Minister Jung Sung-ho's opposition to the abolition of supplementary investigation rights.

Senior spokesperson Park Sung-hoon criticized the Justice Minister's resignation, arguing that if he were truly concerned about judicial justice, he should have publicly advised the President to exercise his veto power. Park contended that by merely submitting his resignation, the minister had abandoned his responsibilities. The Justice Ministry, however, maintains that the minister had communicated his intention to resign to the presidential office long ago through his aides.

Prosecution dismantling will inevitably lead to the fall of the regime.

— Jang Dong-hyukThe People Power Party leader warned of the consequences of the proposed reforms.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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