One Month of Parliamentary Deadlock... Opposition Starts Negotiations Saying "Concede Judiciary Committee Chair"
Ruling Party: "Not a Concession but Original Promise... Cannot Accept Complete Inspection Reform"
Opposition May Convene Temporary Parliament Alone and Force Appointment of Chairpersons
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Measures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] The negotiation over the National Assembly's original organization, which has been at a standstill for nearly a month, is failing to gain momentum despite the Democratic Party of Korea's declaration to concede the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Amid the deadlock in negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, the possibility of the Democratic Party unilaterally electing the Speaker of the National Assembly is gaining traction.
On the 24th, Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at a National Assembly press briefing, "The Democratic Party will respect and implement the agreement made last year between the floor leaders of both parties," and announced that they would hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to the People Power Party in the second half of the year. In July of last year, the floor leaders of both parties agreed that, based on discussions on reforming the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Democratic Party would hold the chairmanship in the first half of the 21st National Assembly, and the People Power Party in the latter half.
Park emphasized that while the Democratic Party is willing to concede the chairmanship, the People Power Party must also adhere to the agreed terms. In April, both parties agreed on a mediation proposal by former National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok regarding the 'complete removal of prosecution investigation rights' (Geomsu Wanbak) law, which included the establishment of a Korean-style FBI. However, this agreement collapsed due to the People Power Party's withdrawal. Subsequently, the People Power Party filed a constitutional dispute with the Constitutional Court, claiming that the rights of lawmakers to review and vote on bills were infringed during the revision process of the Geomsu Wanbak-related laws, namely the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.
In response, the Democratic Party presented conditions to the People Power Party, including △ adjustment of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's authority △ withdrawal of the constitutional dispute filed against the Geomsu Wanbak laws △ participation in the Special Committee on Judicial Reform for the establishment of a Korean-style FBI (tentatively named the Serious Crime Investigation Agency), and requested a response by the morning of the 27th.
The People Power Party rejected the Democratic Party's proposal, stating that they could not agree to an already discarded agreement. On the 24th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters during a visit to the funeral hall of Professor Emeritus Cho Soon at Seoul National University, "Conceding the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is not a concession but a matter already promised," and drew a line by saying, "If we agree to the Special Committee on Judicial Reform, it would mean agreeing to Geomsu Wanbak, so we cannot accept it."
As the ruling and opposition parties remain at an impasse over the conditions for agreement, predictions are gaining strength that the Democratic Party will unilaterally convene a temporary session of the National Assembly to forcibly elect the Speaker. A temporary session can be convened upon the request of at least one-quarter of the total members. In particular, there is speculation that President Yoon Seok-yeol may push through the appointments of Education Minister nominee Park Soon-ae and Health and Welfare Minister nominee Kim Seung-hee on the 1st of next month, after returning from the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) summit, which could prompt the Democratic Party, opposing these appointments, to hasten the organization of the National Assembly.
Despite the deadline set by the Democratic Party having passed, the power struggle between the ruling and opposition parties continues. On the 27th, Kwon, at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly, emphasized, "(The People Power Party) promised the public to repeal the 'Geomsu Wanbak' evil law that the vast majority of the people oppose," and proposed electing the Speaker and the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee first. However, Park rejected the ruling party's counterproposal, saying, "It feels like talking to a wall."
Following this, Park warned at a National Assembly Emergency Measures Committee meeting, "If the People Power Party ultimately refuses to normalize the National Assembly, we have no choice but to proceed with fulfilling the responsibilities of the majority party." Despite rising public criticism, the deadlock surrounding the organization of the National Assembly shows little sign of resolution.
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