People Power Party Visits Blue House: "President Must Exercise Veto on Criminal Procedure Act Amendment"

"The Final Stroke in Judicial Regression... Act Presidential"

Adding a Case Dismissal Reason Is an Attempt to Neutralize the Trial

With the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act, which centers on abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights, passing the National Assembly's plenary session on July 31, the opposition is urging President Lee Jae-myung to exercise his right of reconsideration (veto). They sharply criticized the addition of a new reason for dismissal of prosecution in the amendment, arguing that it is an attempt to neutralize President Lee's ongoing trial. The opposition has announced plans to use all possible means, including a constitutional appeal, to respond.

Jang Dong-Hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, attends the on-site Supreme Council meeting held in front of the Blue House Sarangchae on the 3rd, urging President Lee Jae-myung to exercise the right of veto on the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act. Photo by Yonhap News

On August 3, the People Power Party held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in front of the fountain at the Blue House Sarangchae in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Leader Jang Dong-hyuk stated, "There is only one reason we are holding the Supreme Council meeting here," and continued, "It is to urge President Lee to exercise his veto against this ruthless and evil law (the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act)." He added, "Exercising the right of veto on this law is neither a presidential authority nor a matter of choice," emphasizing, "It is an order from the people, an order from history."

Jang also stressed, "If President Lee refuses to exercise the veto, public calls for impeachment to defend the Republic of Korea will only intensify." He continued, "This is the people's final warning," adding, "It is not simply a matter of declining approval ratings." He further asserted, "The people no longer recognize President Lee as the president of Korea," and stated, "This is the last chance. The veto must be exercised against this evil law."

Floor leader Jeong Jeom-sik criticized, "As soon as the bill abolishing supplementary investigation rights passed the plenary session, the Blue House claimed to respect the will of the people and sided with the Democratic Party." He added, "In the eyes of the Blue House, they see only the Democratic Party’s will, not that of the people." He also remarked, "The Democratic Party plans to hold a public briefing today," and said, "They are unilaterally trying to lecture the public, many of whom are concerned and critical."

Jeong emphasized, "Already, the public has suffered greatly due to delays in investigations and 'ping-pong' of cases following the adjustment of investigative powers between the prosecution and police under the Moon Jae-in administration." He continued, "If the supplementary investigation rights are also abolished, it will complete the destruction of the judicial system." He further stated, "Maintaining supplementary investigation rights is necessary; wasn’t this President Lee’s own statement?" and demanded, "Exercise the right of reconsideration. Even just this once, act in a way befitting the presidency."

The People Power Party plans to not only demand that President Lee exercise the right of reconsideration on the Criminal Procedure Act amendment but also to pursue additional measures, including a jurisdiction dispute trial and a constitutional appeal. Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-hoon stated in a commentary, "We will mobilize every possible legal and political means, including jurisdiction dispute trials and constitutional appeals," and warned, "We will block this evil law that infringes on basic rights of the people and judicial justice."

The People Power Party is further escalating its criticism, calling the addition of new grounds for dismissal of prosecution in the amendment a 'bill to neutralize President Lee’s trial.' Park Hyung-soo, the opposition secretary of the National Assembly’s Legislation and Judiciary Committee, appeared on MBC’s ‘Kim Jong-bae’s Focus’ the same day, stating, "President Lee’s side will claim the prosecution was manipulated and the charges should be dismissed." He added, "Since the law now stipulates grounds for dismissal, they will threaten that failing to apply them would result in prosecution for judicial distortion."

In response to the ruling party’s claim that the amendment merely codifies Supreme Court precedents, Park said, "Of course, this reason has been accepted by Supreme Court precedents." However, he pointed out, "It is precedents that further specify what is already set forth by law; thus, not every detail should or can be codified in law." He added, "So why was only this issue addressed in this way? That is highly suspicious."

While the People Power Party is escalating its criticism of President Lee, voices from the broader opposition are also beginning to coalesce. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party, posted on his social media on the same day, "Did the President not say ‘protect the weak and restrain the strong’? Abolishing supplementary investigation rights strips the weak of all defenses while ensuring the powerful do not pay for their crimes. This is the President’s self-denial." He added, "The veto is the final safeguard," and "The Constitution provides a period of fifteen days."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.