Will the August National Assembly Achieve Cooperation... Power Struggle Expected to Continue Over the Corruption Investigation Office

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Unlike the ruling party's solo run in the July National Assembly, will there be bipartisan 'cooperation' in August? During a dinner meeting between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed an apology to the opposition, hinting at the possibility of cooperation. However, due to significant disagreements over the prosecution personnel appointments and the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Gong-su-cheo), it remains uncertain whether cooperation will be achieved.

On the 9th, Bae Jun-young, spokesperson for the United Future Party, criticized Kim’s apology, saying, "It does not feel sincere."

Earlier, on the 6th, during a private dinner meeting, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, revealed that Kim had said, "I am sorry for the handling of the real estate law, and it will not happen again." This was interpreted as the ruling party, which had been unilaterally passing bills in standing committees and plenary sessions, signaling a willingness to cooperate with the opposition. Previously, Kim Hae-young, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party, also emphasized the need for cooperation, stating, "Majority rule is the last resort."

However, the opposition remains skeptical of the ruling party’s willingness to cooperate. They particularly criticized the recent prosecution personnel appointments as a 'collusion,' arguing that the government and ruling party lack sincerity. Spokesperson Bae quoted the widely accepted view in the legal community that "the main line of this personnel appointment is the 'Chu Mi-ae (Minister of Justice) faction' loyal to herself and the regime, and it was a reward and promotion appointment," citing a resignation letter from Moon Chan-seok, chief prosecutor of Gwangju District Prosecutors' Office.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, holds a press conference on recent issues at the National Assembly on the 6th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Woong, a United Future Party lawmaker, also remarked, "Moon Chan-seok, the prosecutor once called the Grim Reaper of Yeouido, is gone, and a world where pet prosecutors?who are mere lackeys of the regime and whose only experience is guarding the regime’s mood?are thriving has emerged," adding, "Wolves do not eat feed."

Accordingly, the likelihood of bipartisan cooperation in the August National Assembly appears low. In particular, the gap between the ruling and opposition parties over the launch of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency remains wide. Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party, has expressed his intention to launch the agency even if the opposition does not appoint members to the recommendation committee, including amending the law if necessary. Meanwhile, the opposition insists on postponing the appointment of the recommendation committee members and first determining the constitutionality of the agency. Spokesperson Bae stated, "As the August extraordinary session approaches in ten days, we hope the Democratic Party will act in a manner befitting its name."