One Month of Ruling and Opposition Conflict... Eyes on the Political Secretary as the 'Yoon-Ya Bridge'

Growing Calls for the Role of Senior Political Secretary in the Democratic Party... "Did Not Receive Messages from the Presidential Office"
Lee Jin-bok Refutes, "Big Differences in Opinions During Communication... Not a Situation to Step Forward"

On the 28th, as the National Assembly remains deadlocked for the fourth consecutive week over the appointment of the chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, dark clouds gather heavily over the roof of the National Assembly building. The Democratic Party of Korea has warned that if negotiations fail within this week, it will convene a solo extraordinary session in July. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Lee Ki-min] As the deadlock over the National Assembly's organization between the ruling and opposition parties prolongs, criticism is emerging that the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Presidential Office, who is supposed to act as a 'bridge' between the opposition and the president, is noticeably absent.

The role of the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs as a 'communication channel to the opposition' is crucial to resolving the stalemate between the ruling and opposition parties, but during the month-long conflict, it has been difficult to find any sign of their presence. Senior Secretary Lee Jin-bok responded by saying, "It is not a situation to step forward," while the opposition continued its 'my way' approach by submitting a request for the July extraordinary session of the National Assembly on the same day.

According to a compilation of reports on the 28th, since the failed dinner meeting between President Yoon and the leaders of the three parties on the 16th of last month, there has been no contact from the Democratic Party with Senior Secretary Lee Jin-bok. Kim Sung-hwan, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee Chair, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "I have not received any messages from the Senior Secretary recently." He added, "Communication related to the canceled 'dinner meeting on the 16th' was not smooth. Since then, I have not received any intention of exchange."

Some in the opposition criticize that the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs is not fulfilling their role. As the extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties prolongs, the government and ruling party, who bear responsibility for state administration, should take the lead in persuading the opposition for cooperation, but such efforts are not visible.

A Democratic Party lawmaker who served in the Moon Jae-in administration's Blue House said, "The urgent and desperate side to realize national tasks is the party and the Blue House, and when discussions between the ruling and opposition parties do not progress, the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs should come and engage closely with the opposition, tirelessly persuading them," adding, "Not a single opposition lawmaker is being persuaded." He further pointed out, "It seems the normal party-Blue House (party and presidential office) system is not functioning." Another lawmaker from the Democratic Party's emergency committee said, "It seems the People Power Party still thinks of itself as the opposition and is acting politically," questioning, "Isn't it because the control tower of the party-government-presidential office is not working and urgent government tasks to be pushed forward have not been clearly defined?"

The Senior Secretary for Political Affairs is a position responsible for coordinating and planning so that the president's national goals are realized through legislation in the National Assembly. Therefore, whenever the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties prolongs, the role of the Senior Secretary has been emphasized. Past Senior Secretaries frequently contacted opposition figures to convey the president's intentions, engage in behind-the-scenes communication, and persuade them. In fact, on the 21st, the People Power Party's standing advisory group advised President Yoon during a luncheon that in a situation where the opposition holds the majority, the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs and other key presidential aides should step forward to persuade the opposition for necessary legislative reforms.

In response to such criticism, Senior Secretary Lee said, "It is not a situation where I can step forward (amid the ruling-opposition deadlock)." In a phone interview, he said, "We are communicating even now, but every time, the differences in opinions (between the ruling and opposition) widen." He also stated that the executive branch's involvement in the legislature's affairs does not align with President Yoon and the current presidential office's approach to state administration.

He views the minority ruling and majority opposition situation as a factor that makes political intervention difficult. He said, "Following the three-party merger during President Roh Tae-woo's era and the impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, the current situation is the third extreme minority ruling and majority opposition case in constitutional history," adding, "The presidential office cannot recklessly intervene." He further added, "The moment the presidential secretariat intervenes in major National Assembly issues, a backlash could occur."

The extreme confrontation over the National Assembly's organization continues. The Democratic Party maintained a hardline stance by submitting a request for the July extraordinary session of the National Assembly on the same day. Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, said at a floor strategy meeting, "We will kick-start the normalization of the National Assembly, which the ruling party has abandoned." In response, Kwon Seong-dong, the People Power Party floor leader, said, "There has never been a single unilateral plenary session convened without bipartisan agreement," and warned, "If the Democratic Party unilaterally convenes a plenary session, it will signal the restart of legislative dictatorship."

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@

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering opening remarks at the party floor leaders' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@