People Power Party Special Committee Chairman Joo Jin-woo delivers opening remarks at the first meeting of the Special Committee on Preventing the Cancellation of Lee Jae-myung's Presidential Trial held at the National Assembly on the 22nd. [Yonhap News] 

The People Power Party effectively expressed its opposition on the 5th to the proposal by Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do to have a third party recommend a special counsel to investigate the ballot paper shortage crisis.

Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party, who chairs the National Assembly's Special Committee on Investigation, said during a briefing at the National Assembly that day, "Even if a third party recommends the special counsel, isn't it the President who ultimately appoints them? The state failed to take necessary measures (regarding the infringement of voting rights), so aren't the President, the government, and the National Election Commission (NEC) the most important subjects (of the truth-finding mission)?" He added, "If that is the case, it would be much more helpful in uncovering the substantive truth of the ballot paper shortage if the opposition party recommends the special counsel."

Rep. Joo Jin-woo, a member of the special committee, stated in a Facebook post, "Floor Leader Han Byung-do says he will propose a special counsel bill for the NEC that involves a third-party recommendation, such as from the Korean Bar Association. That is out of the question." He continued, "A special counsel must be free from any government influence to conduct an investigation without sanctuaries and achieve electoral system reform."

He then asked, "When the Democratic Party was in the opposition, they decided on all special counsels, including the 'Marine Corps Special Counsel.' Why has their position changed 180 degrees since then?" He argued, "A special counsel not recommended by the People Power Party will lack effectiveness. We must completely exclude any influence from the Democratic Party over the special counsel."

In another Facebook post, Rep. Joo shared an article headline noting that acting National Election Commission Chairman Wi Cheol-hwan is a former president of the Korean Bar Association, writing, "A special counsel recommended by the Korean Bar Association investigating Wi Cheol-hwan, who is also a former president of the Korean Bar Association? Is the Democratic Party playing games?"