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PARLIAMENT PASSES CORRUPTION PROBE UNIT BILL AMID OPPOSITION PROTEST
South Korea’s parliament has passed a controversial bill to set up an agency dedicated to investigating corruption among high-ranking officials, despite strong resistance from the main opposition party and conservative groups.
The National Assembly passed a controversial bill to set up a separate unit to probe corruption by high-ranking public officials Monday, lending support to President Moon Jae-in's bid to reform the prosecution.
The establishment of the proposed corruption probe unit is aimed at overhauling the prosecution, one of the key election pledges by President Moon Jae-in.
The establishment of the proposed corruption probe unit is aimed at overhauling the prosecution, one of the key election pledges by President Moon Jae-in.
Amid protests by the main opposition Liberty Korea Party, the bill was passed by a 159 to 14 vote, with three abstentions.
For the passage, at least 148 lawmakers of the 295-member assembly must approve the bill.
Liberty Korea Party lawmakers, who left the assembly's main hall en masse at the start of the vote, criticized the ruling Democratic Party for having "railroaded the worst bill in history."
Liberty Korea Party lawmakers, who left the assembly's main hall en masse at the start of the vote, criticized the ruling Democratic Party for having "railroaded the worst bill in history."
Under the bill, the proposed unit will be empowered to investigate corruption committed by ranking public officials, including the president, lawmakers, top court justices and prosecutors. Among them, the agency can directly indict police, prosecutors and judges.
A seven-member committee to recommend the chief of the unit will be formed and the president will select one of two candidates who receive support from six panel members. A parliamentary confirmation hearing is needed for appointment.
"This is a historic moment in light of people's aspiration (for prosecution reform) and the democratic value of checks and balances," Cheong Wa Dae spokesperson Ko Min-jung said in a statement.
She said the Moon Jae-in administration will spare no effort to help the proposed agency accomplish a historic mission to promote checks and balances.
In 1996, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a progressive civic group, called on lawmakers to enact anti-corruption bills, including the establishment of a corruption probe agency.
The bill was also passed 17 years after former liberal President Roh Moo-hyun vowed the creation of such unit in one of his election pledges in 2002.