"Stripping citizens of their right to vote is a grave subversion of constitutional order — a special prosecutor will bring those who manipulated democracy before the law"
People Power Party Rep. Kim Eun-hye (Bundang-eul, Gyeonggi Province) said Monday she had introduced a special prosecutor bill to uncover the truth behind the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 nationwide local elections and to establish who bears responsibility. The bill is formally titled the "Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor for the Investigation of the Truth Behind the Ballot Manipulation Incident in the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections."
According to Kim, the bill defines the special prosecutor's investigative scope to cover six areas: all criminal allegations related to the ballot shortage during the nationwide local elections; all criminal allegations related to negligence and evasion of responsibility by Cheong Wa Dae and government agencies over the shortage; all criminal allegations related to state violence against civilian rallies held in response to the shortage; all criminal allegations related to corruption within the National Election Commission; complaints and accusations filed in connection with the first through fourth items; and any related criminal conduct identified in the course of investigating the first through fifth items, as well as any acts obstructing the special prosecutor's investigation.
The bill also specifies that the president must submit a written request to the People Power Party — the largest opposition party — for a recommendation of one special prosecutor candidate. If the president fails to submit the written request within the designated period, the request is deemed to have been made.
The special prosecutor's office would be staffed with four deputy special prosecutors, 20 seconded prosecutors, 40 special investigators and 40 seconded civil servants. The investigation period would run 90 days from the day after the preparation period ends, with two possible 30-day extensions if the investigation cannot be completed or a decision on indictment cannot be reached within the original timeframe.
"Elections are the foundation of democracy, and the right to vote is the most sacred right citizens exercise as the masters of the state — stripping people of that right is a grave subversion of constitutional order that transcends partisan lines," Kim said. "If the Lee Jae-myung administration truly recognizes this and wants to set things right, a special prosecutor is the answer. We will uncover the truth, bring those who manipulated democracy before the law, and build legal and institutional safeguards to ensure citizens' right to vote is never violated again."
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