The Democratic Party of Korea has advanced three special investigation laws: the "Chae Sang-byeong Special Law," the "Insurrection Special Law," and the "Kim Keon-hee Special Law," which passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 5th under the leadership of the Democratic Party.
This is the first bill passed by the National Assembly since President Lee Jae-myung started his term on the 4th. All three special investigation bills were passed with 194 votes in favor, 3 against, and 1 abstention.
The Chae Sang-byeong Special Law (a law to investigate the obstruction of investigation and concealment of the incident surrounding the death of Marine Corps Private Chae Sang-byeong during a missing person search operation in July 2023) will investigate the circumstances of the incident and allegations of obstruction of the investigation by high-ranking government officials. The Democratic Party allowed the Rebuilding Korea Party, which has the most seats among opposition parties, to recommend one candidate for the special investigator.
The Insurrection Special Law (a law to investigate the facts of insurrection and foreign exchange acts by former President Yoon Suk-yeol and others) will investigate 11 criminal allegations related to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, including ▲ acts of insurrection ▲ acts of foreign exchange solicitation ▲ military rebellion. Similarly, the Rebuilding Korea Party will recommend one candidate for the special investigator from among those parties with the most seats. Presidential records necessary for the investigation will be accessible if more than three-fifths of the National Assembly members agree or if permitted by the chief judge of the competent district court.
The original plan allowed for the appointment of up to 4 special investigators and 40 dispatched prosecutors, but the Democratic Party proposed an amendment on this day to allow for the appointment of 7 special investigators and up to 60 dispatched prosecutors, which passed. Presidential records initially required the consent of two-thirds of the National Assembly members or permission from the chief judge of the competent high court, but the passed special investigation laws relaxed both conditions.
The Kim Keon-hee Special Law (a law to investigate the National Assembly corruption and illegal election interference of Kim Keon-hee, Myung Tae-kyun, and others) will investigate a total of 16 allegations, including the stock manipulation suspicions regarding Deutsch Motors and questions regarding luxury bag receipts, as well as suspicions involving "Geon-jin Beopsa" and the political broker Myung Tae-kyun's involvement in candidate selections and illegal opinion polling. Likewise, among the parties with the most seats among negotiating and non-negotiating groups, the Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party will each recommend one.
Previously, the Chae Sang-byeong Special Law passed the National Assembly three times, the Insurrection Special Law twice, and the Kim Keon-hee Special Law four times, but they were all discarded by the exercise of the veto power of the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. Since the Democratic Party has pushed these special investigation laws, President Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party is expected to announce them immediately. Subsequently, the process of recommending and appointing a special investigator is anticipated.
Meanwhile, within the People Power Party, Representatives Kim So-hee, Kim Jae-seop, Ahn Cheol-soo, and Bae Hyun-jin voted in favor of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Law; Representatives Kim Jae-seop and Ahn Cheol-soo for the Insurrection Special Law amendment; and Representatives Ahn Cheol-soo, Bae Hyun-jin, and Kim Jae-seop for the Kim Keon-hee Special Law, leading to defecting votes.