Response to the 'Omul Balloon' Special Committee... Limitations in Bill Passage

Heatwave and Heavy Rain Measures, Buan Earthquake Damage Inspection
Ministry of the Interior and Safety: "If Civil Defense Act Amendment Passes, Swift Action Will Follow"

The People Power Party is refusing to participate in standing committees in protest against the Democratic Party of Korea's unilateral enforcement of the parliamentary schedule and is instead forming special committees to address urgent public issues. At the party-government council of the Disaster and Safety Special Committee held that day, discussions were held on North Korea's release of waste balloons, measures against heatwaves and heavy rains, and the status of earthquake damage. However, since it was not a standing committee, limitations in processing necessary bills also became apparent.

Lee Man-hee, Chairman of the Disaster Safety Special Committee of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Summer Disaster Response and North Korean Trash Balloon Damage Support Party-Government Council held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

At the party-government council held on the 12th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, measures were discussed to prepare for North Korea's release of waste balloons, which began on May 28 last month, as well as upcoming heatwaves and heavy rains. Lee Man-hee, chairman of the special committee, said, "The Democratic Party is trampling on all parliamentary customs for checks and balances, dialogue, and compromise. The mandate from the general election does not mean the Democratic Party can do as it pleases," adding, "The Disaster and Safety Special Committee has been fully activated with the urgent determination that there must not be even a momentary gap in protecting the precious daily lives and safety of the people."

The party-government council proceeded with Kim Joo-i, Director of the Safety Policy Bureau at the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, reporting on the agenda, followed by questions and additional inquiries from the special committee members. A real-time report on the damage caused by a magnitude 4.8 earthquake near Buan County, Jeollabuk-do, which occurred that morning, was also provided.

Kim Do-eup, a member of the special committee, stated, "We must firmly warn North Korea regarding the release of waste balloons," and requested the government side, "The Ministry of the Interior and Safety should consult with the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of National Defense, and others to support the affected cases with taxpayers' money and claim damages from North Korea." He emphasized, "This is an expression of South Korea's firm intention to respond actively to North Korea's illegal acts," and "It is also a rightful exercise of the government's authority."

Assemblyman Kang Dae-sik also mentioned local government insurance and expansion of coverage related to residents' damages caused by the waste balloons. However, the lack of a legal basis for compensation support emerged as a limitation. Director Kim said, "We have been deeply concerned due to the lack of a support basis, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety has decided to create standards and apply the damage support criteria uniformly to all local governments as a first step," adding, "If the National Assembly quickly passes the amendment to the Civil Defense Basic Act to provide a legal basis for support, we will be able to proceed swiftly." In response, Assemblyman Kang emphasized, "The National Assembly should do its part, and we must be careful not to create policy blind spots."

The People Power Party proposed an amendment to the Civil Defense Basic Act as a party bill on the 5th to establish a legal basis for support regarding North Korea's release of waste balloons. However, due to the Democratic Party's unilateral election of standing committee chairs and the People Power Party's effective boycott of parliamentary schedules such as standing committees, the likelihood of urgent bills passing quickly has diminished.