Yoon Jae-ok: "Opposition's Seizure of Legislation and Steering Committee Chairs Is Reckless"

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea's intention to take key National Assembly positions such as the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Steering Committee as "reckless."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the 22nd National Assembly People Power Party and People’s Future elected members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the afternoon of the 17th, right after a luncheon meeting with first-term lawmakers from his constituency, Floor Leader Yoon told reporters, "For the National Assembly to cooperate and restore parliamentary politics, the opposition party claiming the chairmanships of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Steering Committee is reckless," adding, "It means they intend to run the National Assembly unilaterally." Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, appeared on MBC radio the same day and said, "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee has not just delayed legal procedures and legislative processes but made them impossible," and stated, "Given the current standing committee structure, it is appropriate for the Democratic Party, which holds the majority seats, to take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and that reflects the public sentiment from this general election," indicating their intention to take major standing committees in the National Assembly.

It seems that even before the 22nd National Assembly convenes, the ruling and opposition parties have already started a tug-of-war over legislative leadership. Kim Ki-hyun, former leader of the People Power Party, also posted on his Facebook that "The Democratic Party taking back the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is an arrogant idea that refuses to recognize the ruling party as a partner in state affairs," and argued, "It is nothing but an autocratic idea to remove all obstacles to legislative recklessness." On the other hand, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson said the previous day, "Currently, it is a one-way street under the People Power Party's Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship, so there will be no concessions in the 22nd National Assembly," signaling their intention to dominate legislative leadership in the 22nd National Assembly.

Meanwhile, Floor Leader Yoon met with first-term lawmakers to discuss ways to manage the party's crisis. He said, "While having a meal with first-term lawmakers elected from their constituencies, I listened to their opinions on ways to manage the party's crisis, the voices of the people experienced during the election process, and stories our party should keep in mind going forward," adding, "I will do my best to listen more to the voices of first-term lawmakers and incorporate fresh ideas during the party's recovery process."

Regarding the appointment of an emergency response committee chairperson to manage the election defeat, he said he is still considering it. Floor Leader Yoon stated, "I have not made a decision on whether to take the position of emergency response committee chairperson. Honestly, I have personal difficulties, so I said I would take some time to think about it," and added, "I am considering what would be desirable from the party's perspective."