The Democratic Party of Korea is conducting final consultations on potential amendments to the "law distortion crime" bill, a criminal code revision scheduled for a plenary vote on February 25.
Park Soo-hyun, the party's chief spokesperson, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that "the consensus from last Sunday's general assembly was to proceed with the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's version at the plenary session, and that position remains largely unchanged."
However, he added that "the party leadership will listen to lawmakers' opinions until the very end and do its best to exchange views and communicate with the presidential office."
The party will hold a general assembly at 3 p.m. to gather members' opinions on the bill before the plenary vote. The legislation, which cleared the Judiciary Committee, would impose prison sentences of up to 10 years on judges or prosecutors who distort legal principles during investigations, indictments, or trials.
Some party members have called for further deliberation, arguing that the bill's requirements are abstract and could excessively restrict judges' authority to interpret law.
Controversial provisions include punishment for "intentionally misapplying laws to favor or disadvantage parties" and "finding facts that manifestly contradict logic or empirical rules." Critics say such abstract language may violate the clarity principle required in criminal statutes. Concerns have also been raised about potential waves of complaints at each stage of criminal proceedings.
"In the last general assembly, discussions seemed to focus on the 'logic and empirical rules' provision," Park said. "When we hear from lawmakers with legal backgrounds, some hold different views on that issue."
He maintained that "we are keeping the stance of passing the Judiciary Committee's version" but acknowledged "there could be various situational variables before today's assembly."
Regarding the formation of a preparatory committee for alliance and integration with the Rebuilding Korea Party, Park said it "will be organized in a streamlined manner centered on Secretary General Cho Seung-rae and bureau directors," with composition this week and approval at next week's Supreme Council meeting.
On nominations for metropolitan government heads in the June 3 local elections, he said interviews concluded yesterday and "the nomination process now moves to the Public Nomination Committee."
Park also urged the People Power Party to cooperate on the Special Act on U.S. Investment. "The special committee is scheduled to operate until March 9, with the goal of passing the bill at the March 12 plenary session," he said. "The People Power Party should provide bipartisan cooperation given that this concerns national interests and people's livelihoods."