Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on Friday. [Yonhap]
Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, speaks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on Friday. [Yonhap]

Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on Friday urged the People Power Party to cooperate in selecting a fair special prosecutor and reforming the National Election Commission if it "genuinely cares about democracy and citizens' right to political participation."

Speaking at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that morning, Han said the PPP was "passive about constitutional reform to dissolve the election commission, even as it claims to pursue NEC reform." He added that PPP leader Jang Dong-hyeok was "roaming around Olympic Park, obsessed solely with stoking conspiracy theories about rigged elections." Han also accused the party of "using citizens' right to political participation as a tool for political warfare by insisting on opposition-only recommendations for the special prosecutor."

Han said the Democratic Party had "swiftly introduced a parliamentary investigation and launched a task force on NEC reform to pursue institutional improvements." He pledged to "rapidly advance fundamental reforms, including the dissolution of the election commission through constitutional amendment."

On the proposed revision to the Criminal Procedure Act aimed at fully abolishing supplementary investigation powers, Han said the move was expected to bring "a clearer division of roles among investigative agencies and stronger specialization."

"The Democratic Party is also aware of the concerns raised by some," he said, adding that the party would "ensure robust safeguards are put in place during the review process at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee."


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