Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash Over January Special Session... Showdown Expected on 'Abolition of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family'

Conflict Continues Over Sunset Bill
Temporary National Assembly Convenes Amidst Standoff

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] From the start of the Year of the Rabbit, there was no political cooperation. The ruling and opposition parties clashed over whether to convene the January extraordinary session of the National Assembly. Since the extraordinary session convened in December last year is set to end on the 8th of this month, the Democratic Party insists that the January extraordinary session must be convened to handle pending issues. However, the People Power Party countered, calling it a "shielded National Assembly" aimed at blocking the "Lee Jae-myung arrest consent motion," leading to a standoff.

Will the January Extraordinary Session Be Held?

On the 2nd, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said in a BBS Radio interview, "Regarding lawmaker Roh Woong-rae, the National Assembly arrest consent motion was submitted and then rejected," adding, "Even if an extraordinary session is necessary, judicial processing of lawmakers should be possible during non-session periods."

He continued, "To avoid misunderstandings that the Democratic Party is trying to hold a shielded National Assembly, even if the extraordinary session is held, if it coincides with the Lunar New Year holiday, such issues can be resolved. And if it is absolutely necessary to hold it before then, the period can be shortened," he emphasized.

However, the Democratic Party dismissed this as "an excuse by the ruling party that does not want to work." After a Supreme Council meeting held in Busan that day, floor leader Park Hong-geun told reporters, "The government and ruling party should be pushing to handle at least one bill in the National Assembly, but now they are just resting and asking for time to manage their constituencies. Is that a responsible attitude for the government and ruling party?" He added, "It is unacceptable. Meanwhile, they are preemptively assigning meaning to it as a shielded National Assembly and looking for excuses not to work."

What are the actual chances of the January extraordinary session being held? The Democratic Party, holding the majority of seats, can convene the session on its own. At the end of June last year, despite unresolved negotiations over the organization of the National Assembly between the ruling and opposition parties, the Democratic Party unilaterally submitted a request to convene the July extraordinary session. However, mindful of public opinion, the plenary session date was postponed from the 1st to the 4th, and a dramatic agreement was later reached on the election of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

Amid Difficulties in Passing Sunset Laws, Ruling and Opposition to Resume 3+3 Consultative Body on the 4th... Abolition of Ministry of Gender Equality and Family Emerges as a Key Issue

There are stark differences between the ruling and opposition parties over sunset laws such as the Safe Freight Rates System, Special Overtime Work System, and the National Health Insurance Act.

Regarding the Safe Freight Rates System, the ruling party continues to criticize the Cargo Solidarity strike, demanding accountability for the 3 trillion won loss and advocating for the introduction of a new system. Since floor leader Joo declared that he would not engage in negotiations involving bill exchanges, the room for negotiation has diminished. On the other hand, the opposition party argues that since the Safe Freight Rates-related bills have been referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, direct submission to the plenary session is also possible.

The ruling and opposition parties' '3+3 policy consultative body,' which will resume on the 4th, is also expected to face difficulties in conducting meaningful discussions. In particular, there is a significant disagreement between the parties over the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, a core issue in the amendment of the Government Organization Act, and no discussions have taken place.

Regarding the 'Itaewon Disaster Special Committee for National Investigation,' floor leader Joo stated, "I will listen to the opinions of party members and consult with the Democratic Party," leaving open the possibility of extending the period. However, conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties continue over issues such as the adoption of Democratic lawmaker Shin Hyun-young as a witness, raising the likelihood of intensified disputes at the meetings scheduled for the 4th and 6th.