Clash Between Ruling and Opposition Without Pause... Next Up: Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Lee Seong-yoon

Opposition Demands 7 Standing Committees Including Judiciary
Some Ruling Party Members Also Call for Redistribution
Clash Expected Over Prosecutor General Lee's Position

On the 13th, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok is taking a commemorative photo in the Speaker's office with Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, before a meeting regarding the approval of Prime Minister nominee Kim Boo-kyum. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Jeon Jinyoung and Lee Hyunju] Amid the political deadlock caused by the forced appointment of the Prime Minister and ministerial candidates, the distribution of standing committee chairmanships and the fate of Lee Seong-yoon, the Seoul Central District Prosecutor General, are now emerging as new issues in the political arena. With a strong confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties anticipated, attention is focused on what decisions the new leadership led by Song Young-gil, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, will make.

According to the National Assembly on the 14th, four standing committee chairmanships, including the Operations Committee, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and the Political Affairs Committee, are vacant due to the change in the Democratic Party leadership. The People Power Party intends to claim not only the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee but also all seven standing committee chairmanships originally allocated to the opposition. A People Power Party official said in a phone call that day, "The chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is not a matter for negotiation," adding, "We have already expressed our intention to reclaim it." Kim Ki-hyun, acting party leader and floor leader, also stated at a press conference immediately after his election, "The Democratic Party has no right to decide whether to return the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. They only have the obligation to return it." However, the Democratic Party is currently not responding to the opposition's demands.

Nevertheless, voices within the Democratic Party are calling for the redistribution of standing committee chairmanships. At a members' meeting the previous day, remarks such as "The seven standing committee chairmanships, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, should be given to the opposition" and "The presidential election next year is more important than the Legislation and Judiciary Committee" were made.

The issue of Prosecutor General Lee's position is also likely to become a point of contention between the ruling and opposition parties. The People Power Party is demanding Lee's resignation. Kim Ye-ryeong, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "With the disclosure of the indictment against Prosecutor General Lee, it has become clear that the target of the prosecution reform so loudly advocated by President Moon Jae-in and the Blue House is the current administration itself," adding, "The Ministry of Justice should stop 'protecting Lee Seong-yoon' for the sake of restoring the honor of the prosecution organization." Governor Won Hee-ryong of Jeju Province also criticized on Facebook that day, "The only reason for not suspending Prosecutor General Lee from duty and keeping him as the Central District Prosecutor General is to use him until the very end to cover up investigations related to the administration." However, the Democratic Party has shown little movement on this issue as well, likely due to concerns about the burden of escalating prosecution controversies once again.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Baek Hye-ryun, a Supreme Council member, indirectly mentioned the need for resignation by saying on the radio the previous day, "I think a decision from Prosecutor General Lee is also necessary." On the other hand, Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader, indicated an intention to distance the party from the controversy over the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship and Lee Seong-yoon by stating at the Supreme Council meeting that morning, "Important livelihood bills have been delayed due to the deadlock over the Prime Minister and ministerial appointments throughout last week," and "The Democratic Party will focus on the livelihood National Assembly starting with the legislative hearing on the Loss Compensation Act."