'Domestic Disturbance Special Legislation' Shows Divergence Between Ruling Party Hardliners and Leadership; Disagreements on Prosecutorial Reform Persist

Ruling Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee Schedules Domestic Disturbance Special Bill for Next Month's 4th; Leadership States "No Discussion Has Occurred"

Differences in Opinion Regarding the Placement of the Prosecution Office Remain; President Lee Calls for 'Discussion,' While Jung Insists on 'Following the Schedule'

 Kim Yong-min, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party and chairman of the first subcommittee of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, presides over a subcommittee meeting at the National Assembly on August 25. [Yonhap News Archive Photo]

Ahead of the regular parliamentary session commencing in September, the Democratic Party has pledged to pursue "lightning-fast reforms," yet disagreements are surfacing over some key legislative proposals.

A prime example is the Domestic Disturbance Special Act, which aims to establish a special tribunal to handle cases related to domestic disturbances.

Lawmakers from the Democratic Party on the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee have announced their intention to expedite the process, scheduling the Domestic Disturbance Special Act for discussion at the full committee meeting on the 4th of next month. This move comes in response to the court's decision to reject the arrest warrant for former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, prompting a push to reform the judicial structure itself.

However, the party's leadership has yet to officially comment on the pursuit of establishing a special tribunal for domestic disturbances.

A key figure within the Democratic Party's floor leadership stated in a phone call with Yonhap News on the 31st, "The matter of a special tribunal for domestic disturbances emerged at the standing committee level, and the party leadership has not discussed it."

Park Soo-hyun, the chief spokesperson, also clarified the party's stance to reporters after a lawmakers' workshop on the 29th, saying, "Statements regarding the special tribunal for domestic disturbances were personal opinions. The party leadership has never even discussed such a matter."

Lawmaker Min Hyung-bae briefs on prosecutorial reform (Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Park Dong-ju = On August 27, Democratic Party lawmaker Min Hyung-bae holds a briefing on prosecutorial reform at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. 2025.8.27 pdj6635@yna.co.kr

There are subtle differences in opinion within the party, as well as between the party and the government, regarding the specific details and pace of so-called prosecutorial reform.

While there is no disagreement on the principle of separating prosecution and investigation, the immediate issue is where to establish the newly created prosecution office: under the Ministry of Justice or the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. Hardliners within the party oppose placing it under the Ministry of Justice, arguing it would become a second prosecution agency. Conversely, concerns are raised that placing it under the Ministry of the Interior and Safety would consolidate investigative agencies like the agency for serious crimes and the police within a single department, hindering checks and balances.

In relation to this, Democratic Party lawmaker and Minister of Justice Jeong Sung-ho raised the issue but later retracted his statement during the regular session workshop on the 28th, stating, "The party has the initiative." However, internal party disagreements persist.

In this regard, President Lee Jae-myung also stated during a cabinet meeting on the 29th, "It is necessary to derive practical measures for fundamental issues such as preventing abuse of power due to concentrated authority and smoothly operating investigative powers," urging, "Engage in rational debate and discussion before the public."

However, Supreme Hardliner and party leader Jeong Cheong-rae, in a Facebook post immediately after the President's directive, emphasized the completion of prosecutorial reform before Chuseok (October 6th), stating, "If reforms are not carried out in a timely manner, like a bicycle that falls without pedaling, both the targets and the agents of reform will fall."

Within the Democratic Party, these disagreements and differences in temperature are interpreted as a reflection of concerns about the party excessively pursuing a hardline agenda.

This analysis suggests that if the party is perceived as pushing forward unilaterally while solely focusing on its support base, it could alienate centrist voters, who are crucial for victory in next year's local elections, by falling into the opposition's "monopoly frame." Therefore, they are seen as making adjustments.

Indeed, the opposition parties are criticizing the establishment of a special tribunal for domestic disturbances as unconstitutional and illegal, questioning whether the Democratic Party intends to "create a special tribunal appointed by the Democratic Party." Regarding prosecutorial reform, the issues of investigation delays, decreased investigative capacity, and the so-called "burial of cases" are gaining attention in some circles.

However, many believe that the establishment of a special tribunal for domestic disturbances will ultimately proceed under the Democratic Party's legislative agenda of overcoming domestic disturbances and normalizing state affairs, and to enhance the sense of efficacy among its supporters. Similarly, many anticipate that prosecutorial reform will proceed as originally scheduled.

A senior lawmaker commented, "As the hardline supporters are strongly demanding it, it is difficult for the party to refuse. Given the current party atmosphere, it is not easy to express dissenting opinions, even if they are rational."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party had initially planned to pass the Capital Markets Act, which includes measures to protect shareholders during corporate mergers and divisions, during the regular session. However, it was not included in the list of priority legislation disclosed by the party.

In this regard, a party official stated, "The priority legislation list is merely an example. We will strive to pass the Capital Markets Act during the regular session, but if the opposition party chairman does not cooperate, we will have to consider fast-tracking it (as a fast-track agenda item)." Yonhap News