Jo Hae-jin "Dark Clouds Over Parliamentarism... Legislature Becoming Servant of Executive Branch"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 28th, Rep. Cho Hae-jin of the People Power Party expressed concern regarding President Moon Jae-in's policy speech held that day, stating, "The legislative branch is becoming a servant of the executive branch."

Rep. Cho said through Facebook, "Several scenes casting a shadow over the future of parliamentary democracy unfolded simultaneously in the National Assembly today."

He pointed out, "The opposition floor leader was invited to the presidential tea time in the Speaker's office but was searched by Blue House security guards at the entrance of the Speaker's office," adding, "The plenary session was held with Blue House security guards surrounding the meeting hall. All of this is unprecedented." On that day, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young was searched by Blue House security guards and did not participate in the meeting in the Speaker's office held before the policy speech.

Rep. Cho noted, "It is the first time under this administration that the Speaker of the National Assembly, who ranks second in the national protocol order, went to see the Prime Minister, who is much lower in rank," and sarcastically added, "There was even a ruling party member in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee who referred to the judiciary as part of the executive branch." This refers to Rep. Kim Jin-ae of the Open Democratic Party, who said the judiciary is part of the executive branch during the comprehensive audit of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held on the 26th.

Rep. Cho criticized, "Government officials from audited agencies openly fight with opposition lawmakers, government agencies refuse to submit audit materials, and witnesses treat the National Assembly's summons as worthless?this has become routine under this administration," and added, "It is also an unfamiliar sight that ruling party lawmakers, who should audit the government during the audit, censor opposition lawmakers' remarks."

Rep. Cho called it "the legislative branch becoming a servant of the executive branch," stating, "The Blue House led this, the ruling party took the lead in practicing it, and former and current legislative leaders from the Democratic Party took the forefront," and emphasized, "This is not a matter of ruling and opposition parties but a crisis of the existence of the legislature, a crisis of democratic politics and constitutional politics," demanding an apology from the president. He also advised Speaker Park Byeong-seok, saying, "Wake up and don't become the Blue House's Yeouido branch chief."