Legislation Committee Clashes Again Over Yoon Seok-yeol... Ruling Party "Must Negotiate Agenda" vs Opposition "Total Blockade"

Yun Hojung "Did Not Answer Phone Twice"
Kim Doeup "What Are You Afraid Of or Worried About"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] On the 26th, the ruling and opposition parties clashed once again over the attendance of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol at the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Yoon Ho-jung, the chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Baek Hye-ryun, the Democratic Party's secretary, and Kim Do-eup, the People Power Party's secretary, discussed whether to hold an emergency inquiry but ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Subsequently, a plenary meeting was held at the request of the People Power Party, but both sides remained firmly opposed.

Chairman Yoon opened the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly by stating, "Representative Kim did not follow the prior procedures, and despite sending a request to convene the meeting and making two phone calls afterward, not only did he not answer the calls, but he also did not respond," adding, "This attitude of refusing or completely avoiding consultation is not how a secretary should perform their role properly." He further criticized, "Yesterday as well, setting the agenda and demanding witness attendance arbitrarily should not be done."

Representative Kim responded, "According to Article 52 of the National Assembly Act, when one-quarter of the members request, a plenary meeting must be convened. I have repeatedly said that this is not conditional on consultation between secretaries," and countered, "Chairman Yoon is demanding consultations that are not stipulated by law, and Representative Baek said that Yoon Seok-yeol will never be summoned." He added, "Article 52 was created as the only channel for minority opposition parties to convene a plenary meeting," and questioned, "Where is the basis in this article that requires consultation between secretaries?"

When Chairman Yoon rebutted, "Where does it say in Article 52 that the agenda is also set?" Representative Kim said, "Looking at past precedents, there have been cases where the Democratic Party requested and held emergency inquiries." Representative Baek stated, "Article 52 requires one-quarter or more to request a meeting, but there is no provision for the date or agenda of the meeting," and added, "According to Article 49 of the National Assembly Act, the chairman is supposed to consult with the secretaries to set the meeting date and agenda. Representative Kim has not once contacted me by phone or text regarding this matter," sharply criticizing.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Yoon's remarks, including his request to replace the People Power Party secretary, also came under scrutiny. Earlier, just before the plenary meeting, Chairman Yoon told reporters, "I earnestly ask the floor leader of the People Power Party to replace their secretary. This is an official request." He also said, "I want to tell the aides to properly assist their secretaries."

People Power Party lawmakers demanded an apology from Chairman Yoon, but it was not accepted. Representative Kim criticized, "He said he would request my replacement, but now the chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is trying to suspend the duties of the opposition party secretary as well. Why is he meddling in another party's affairs? Isn't this an overreach? Is that why he is sitting in the chairman's seat?" Representative Kim also said, "Is it true that you said our party members have human rights? Apologize," but Chairman Yoon replied, "There is no need to apologize. I spoke as a senior aide."

After the meeting, Representative Kim told reporters, "For some reason, they are trying to completely block Prosecutor General Yoon from coming to the National Assembly," and added, "When Chairman Yoon called both party secretaries, I went, but they were trying to avoid criticism by saying they would appoint the Minister of Justice tomorrow, and then if an agreement is reached, Yoon would attend, making it a political show. I told Chairman Yoon to honestly say if he doesn't want to do it," he said.