People Power Party files constitutional complaint over "Stronger Special Prosecutor Bill" passage, citing procedural violations

National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee passes 3 special prosecutor bill amendments led by ruling party; PPP claims "Chu's arbitrary exercise of power"

Members of the People Power Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee hold a press conference after walking out of a prosecutorial reform hearing. [Yonhap News photo]

Members of the People Power Party (PPP) in the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee announced on the 8th that they have filed a constitutional complaint with the Constitutional Court, alleging that Democratic Party lawmaker Choo Mi-ae, the committee chair, violated procedures in the process of passing the so-called "Stronger Special Prosecutor Bill."

Kwak Gyu-taek, the party's legal advisory committee chairman, stated in a release that day, "The People Power Party has filed a constitutional complaint against Chairperson Choo's egregious meeting proceedings."

Kwak stated, "In the process of handling the amendment bills related to special prosecutors Jo Eun-seok, Min Jung-ki, and Lee Myung-hyun on the 4th, Chairperson Choo unilaterally appointed members to the bill deliberation committee without consulting with the floor leader and unilaterally passed the bills after a formal deliberation committee meeting."

He emphasized, "Chairperson Choo's actions constitute an arbitrary exercise of power without legal basis, a direct violation of the principle of reservation of law, a core principle of the rule of law," and added, "The People Power Party will correct the procedural violations and legislative overreach by the majority party in the National Assembly through this constitutional complaint."

The "Stronger Special Prosecutor Bill" aims to significantly expand the investigation period, scope, and personnel for three special prosecutor cases (rebellion, Kim Keon-hee, and fallen soldier's marine corps) and to broadcast related trials to the public.

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee passed the amendment bills for the three special prosecutor laws during its plenary session on the 4th, led by the Democratic Party.