National Assembly 'Shutdown' Triggers Political Emergency... Yeo Party's Convention Scale Reduction Inevitable

The National Assembly will be closed for one day on the 27th after a reporter covering a meeting of the Democratic Party of Korea tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) the previous day. Accordingly, major meetings of the Democratic Party of Korea and the United Future Party were canceled, and all standing committee meetings related to the budget session were postponed. The photo shows the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun, Kang Na-hum, Lim Chun-han, Jeon Jin-young] The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis that struck Yeouido has put both ruling and opposition political circles on high alert. The Democratic Party of Korea is increasingly likely to hold its upcoming party convention, scheduled in two days, entirely online, while opposition parties such as the United Future Party have canceled all official schedules, causing disruptions to their future plans.

According to the Democratic Party on the 27th, the original plan was to allow only 47 people to enter the convention site, including party leadership, on-site reporters, and event support staff. Seven members of the leadership including Representative Lee Hae-chan, Ahn Kyu-baek, chairman of the National Convention Preparation Committee (Jeonjunwi), Min Hong-chul, chairman of the Central Party Election Commission, and candidate Lee Nak-yeon, along with 10 other leadership candidates excluding those mentioned, were scheduled to attend.

However, after a reporter who covered the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting tested positive for COVID-19, and party leaders who attended the meeting were classified as primary contacts, the convention is highly likely to switch to a 'fully online' format. A party official from the Jeonjunwi told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "We had prepared scenarios just in case such a situation arose, so the convention will proceed as planned," adding, "Discussions are underway about replacing the convention proceedings with video or having speeches read aloud."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The candidates are also facing deep concerns. Park Ju-min, a candidate for party leadership, expressed worries on a radio broadcast that day, saying, "Since the entire leadership and key party officials are effectively in self-quarantine, I am concerned whether the party convention schedule can proceed normally." Han Byung-do, a candidate for Supreme Council member, also lamented, "This is truly the first time I have seen and experienced such a party convention. We cannot even conduct election campaigns. We need to visit regions and give speeches, but these activities are being restricted, so the event itself is not gaining momentum."

The Democratic Party is reportedly considering a 'proxy authority system' to fill the leadership vacuum. Seol Hoon, a Supreme Council member who did not attend the Supreme Council meeting the previous day due to personal reasons, is expected to take on the role of acting party leader. A Democratic Party official said, "An epidemiological investigator will conduct an investigation this morning, so we will know then, but if Representative Lee is unable to handle party affairs, Supreme Council member Seol may serve as acting leader," adding, "However, if Representative Lee can manage party affairs while in quarantine, the proxy authority system may not be necessary."

The opposition parties have also canceled all schedules and switched to working from home, using video and phone conferences. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said in a phone interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "I had second contact with someone who met the confirmed reporter," adding, "Although we only bumped fists while wearing masks, I am staying at home just in case."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The United Future Party leadership and lawmakers plan to hold internal meetings frequently via video conferences connected through laptops and smartphones. Floor leader Joo said, "Before the confirmation of the infected reporter in the National Assembly, the United Future Party had already instructed staff to switch mainly to working from home," adding, "I have undergone epidemiological investigation, and if additional tests are needed, I will take them."

Choi Hyung-doo, spokesperson for the United Future Party floor, said, "We will ensure that the closing session of the National Assembly and preparations for the regular session proceed without disruption through working from home and remote video conferences," and urged, "We ask the government to respond more actively to opposition parties' requests for materials during this emergency quarantine situation in the National Assembly."

The People’s Party has also entered self-quarantine mode. A People’s Party official said, "The party headquarters is undergoing disinfection and plans to 'shut down' until the weekend," adding, "Not only party staff but also lawmakers are all working from home." However, since the number of lawmakers is relatively small, they are reportedly communicating via phone rather than holding remote video conferences.