Despite the Democratic Party's Decision to 'Concede' the Legislation and Judiciary Committee... The Possibility of Normalizing the National Assembly Remains Uncertain

Park Hong-geun "Agreed that the Judiciary Committee Chairmanship Should Be Held by People Power Party as per Last Year's Agreement"
Opposition Demands Withdrawal of Various Lawsuits on Special Committee on Criminal Reform and Complete Prosecution Reform
Ruling Party: "Park Hong-geun's Proposal Is Not a Concession... Cannot Accept Opposition's Demands"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Attention is focused on whether the protracted dispute will come to an end as the Democratic Party of Korea expressed its consent to the People Power Party taking the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which was the biggest issue in the negotiation over the organization of the National Assembly. However, the Democratic Party, which is insisting on "concession," is demanding the withdrawal of lawsuits related to the so-called "Prosecutorial Reform Act" (or the "Complete Prosecution Reform Act") and discussing the establishment of a Korean-style FBI through the Special Committee on Judicial Reform.

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 24th and stated, "The Democratic Party agrees that the People Power Party will take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as agreed by the floor leaders of both parties last year." This marks a step back from Park, who had previously defined last year's agreement between the two parties as an "overreach" and insisted on starting over from scratch.

Regarding this, Park said, "We ask the People Power Party to also promise to implement the previous agreement," adding, "Restoring trust is an essential condition for normalizing the National Assembly. We will wait for an answer until the morning of the 27th."

In addition, the Democratic Party took a more progressive stance by stepping back on demands for legal amendments to prevent abuse of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's authority to review the system and wording of bills. Park also mentioned resolving issues related to the committee's authority within the 21st National Assembly, indicating that these would not be considered preconditions for the organization negotiations.

Interpretations varied regarding what the implementation of the agreement mentioned by Park, who made a sudden concession on the Legislation and Judiciary Committee issue, actually meant. However, the specific details were confirmed during a meeting between the chief deputy floor leaders of both parties. The implementation demanded by Park included the launch of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform and the withdrawal of various lawsuits related to the Complete Prosecution Reform Act. In other words, since the act has already passed the National Assembly and the Cabinet meeting, the Democratic Party is asking the People Power Party to now proceed with follow-up work.

The problem is that despite the Democratic Party's change in stance, the People Power Party is maintaining a position that it has nothing to concede. Song Eon-seok, the chief deputy floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a press meeting after the deputy floor leaders' meeting, "The Democratic Party has not made any concessions," and added, "This is the implementation of what was promised a year ago." Regarding the demands related to the Complete Prosecution Reform Act, which were requested as a counterbalance, he stated, "That matter is already settled."

Song said, "(The bipartisan agreement on the Complete Prosecution Reform Act) has already ended due to public criticism," and "Our party (People Power Party) cannot cooperate. We are not currently considering normalizing the Special Committee on Judicial Reform immediately."

Despite the Democratic Party's concession moves, the People Power Party's stance is that it has no cards to play in the negotiations.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, attended the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and was seen closing his eyes and deep in thought during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

As the organization negotiations fail to make progress amid the economic crisis, dissatisfaction is growing not only among public opinion but also within the political circles. Because of this, there is speculation about a possible meeting between the floor leadership of both parties over the weekend. However, it remains uncertain whether the organization negotiations will gain momentum even if such a meeting takes place.

An opposition party official said, "In the situation where the ruling party is in the minority, the People Power Party seems strongly intent on maintaining the atmosphere that the opposition is obstructing the ruling party," adding, "It appears they are conscious that once the organization negotiations are completed, the majority party can take the initiative on current issues and other matters."

As the ruling and opposition parties are finding it difficult to reach a compromise in the organization negotiations, there is also speculation that the Democratic Party might unilaterally elect the Speaker of the National Assembly and others. Jin Seong-jun, the chief deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "It is true that such a possibility is being considered," and added, "We need to make a comprehensive judgment while observing the negotiation situation."