Bill expected to be referred to Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Wednesday

Provision on dismissal of charges likely to be dropped after party caucus

Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do speaks at a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on Tuesday. [Yonhap]
Democratic Party of Korea floor leader Han Byung-do speaks at a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on Tuesday. [Yonhap]

The Democratic Party of Korea appears set to move forward with a special prosecutor bill targeting allegations that prosecutors under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration fabricated indictments.

Democratic Party floor spokesperson Lee Ju-hee told reporters after a floor strategy meeting Tuesday that a full Assembly vote on the bill as early as Thursday was possible. "In terms of likelihood, I have no choice but to say yes," Lee said.

Lee added that the final agenda for a plenary session would be determined after a party caucus, and also mentioned a resolution to establish a special committee on a broad regional strategic industry zone and a resolution calling for the expulsion of People Power Party lawmaker Kim Tae-gyu.

The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hold a full session Wednesday to refer the bill. Lee noted that the committee referral and a plenary vote were separate matters and that the party needed time to build consensus at a caucus. "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee has publicly said it will process the bill, but the committee referral and the plenary vote are separate issues — we need time to gather the party's collective view at a caucus," Lee said.

The bill, introduced by the Democratic Party in April, is formally titled the Act on the Appointment of a Special Prosecutor to Investigate Allegations of Fabricated Investigations and Fabricated Indictments by the Prosecution, the National Intelligence Service, the Board of Audit and Inspection and Other Agencies Under the Yoon Suk Yeol Administration. It covers 12 cases, including allegations of corruption in the Daejang-dong and Wirye new town development projects.

The bill drew controversy, particularly from opposition circles, over a provision granting the special prosecutor authority to transfer and dispose of previously indicted cases — widely seen as a measure aimed at withdrawing charges against President Lee Jae Myung. At a press conference last month, Lee asked that the provision be removed so the investigation could "focus solely on uncovering the truth." The floor spokesperson said Tuesday the bill would likely be revised accordingly. "It seems the direction will be to amend the existing bill," Lee said.


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