Clash Between Ruling and Opposition Amid 'Makmal Controversy'... Conflict Expected Over Chaesangbyeong Special Prosecutor Bill

Economic Sector Government Question Scheduled but Progress Uncertain
People Power Party "Without Apology, Plenary Session Difficult"
Democratic Party "Refusal to Apologize"

After the controversy over offensive remarks led to the disruption of the government questioning session in the political sector, the ruling and opposition parties continue to engage in intense confrontation. On the 3rd, although government questioning in the economic sector was originally scheduled, it is difficult to predict whether it will proceed. The fate of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, which is at the center of the political conflict between the parties, also remains uncertain.

On the 3rd, the National Assembly was set to hold a plenary session including the economic sector government questioning, but it is highly likely to be held without participation from ruling party members. The day before, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo, during the government questioning on politics, diplomacy, unification, and security, took issue with the expression "Korea-US-Japan alliance" that appeared in a People Power Party statement, calling them "crazy People Power Party lawmakers." In response, People Power Party lawmakers protested, and the plenary session was adjourned, eventually ending automatically without resumption. As a result, the scheduled vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and even the remaining political sector government questioning could not be properly conducted.

Park Chan-dae, acting leader of the Democratic Party and floor leader, pushed back against the ruling party's demand for an apology, calling it "absurd." Park said, "The People Power Party officially used the term 'Korea-US-Japan alliance' in an official statement on the 2nd of last month," adding, "While the Korea-US alliance exists, there is no Korea-US-Japan or Korea-Japan alliance. Why would we form an alliance with Japan, which is constantly claiming sovereignty over Dokdo?" He continued, "When we asked them to revise that statement, they refused to do so and instead demanded an apology from our party's lawmaker Kim, who pointed out the mistake," and criticized, "The People Power Party said they would expel him, so then they should also expel President Yoon Seok-yeol, who said 'People Power Party members are like rats that have eaten poison.'" He added, "The People Power Party, which caused the parliamentary disruption by insisting on an apology, should apologize. They should immediately issue a public apology today and correct the baseless statement."

On the morning of the 3rd, as the National Assembly National Defense Committee plenary meeting scheduled to be held was canceled, Kim Byung-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, headed to the National Defense Committee chairman's office. Amid the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over Kim Byung-joo's remark calling the ruling party "crazy," the People Power Party demanded an apology and canceled the opening of the National Defense Committee plenary meeting that day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Democratic Party, while refusing to apologize at the leadership level, plans to proceed with the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. Han Min-soo, Democratic Party spokesperson, said at a press meeting after the Supreme Council meeting, "The goal is to submit the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act today and pass it tomorrow." Considering the ruling party's open declaration to engage in unlimited debate on the act, it means they intend to pass it on the 4th.

The Speaker of the National Assembly also expressed the intention to hold a plenary session at 2 p.m. that day.

However, the People Power Party maintains that participation in the plenary session is difficult unless lawmaker Kim apologizes. Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a press briefing, "Whether to attend the government questioning in the plenary session depends on Kim's apology before the session," adding, "Without an apology, it will be difficult to participate in the plenary session."

Choo also strongly opposed the submission of the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act to the plenary session. He said, "As I said yesterday, there is no precedent for submitting a bill for passage during a plenary session held for government questioning," adding, "The Speaker is aware of this, and the Democratic Party also understands the situation. That is why I strongly lectured yesterday." He continued, "If the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act is forced through, we will strongly protest, and if it proceeds, we will respond with unlimited debate, so-called filibuster."

For now, the ruling and opposition parties need to discuss the legislative schedule through their floor leaders.

Besides the ruling party's participation in the plenary session, they also need to consider whether to continue the government questioning session that was suspended the previous day and whether to proceed with the economic sector government questioning on that day. Floor officials from both parties are expected to have contact regarding this.

Meanwhile, amid the intense standoff between the ruling and opposition parties, the National Defense Committee scheduled for the morning was also canceled. The National Defense Committee is currently chaired by Seong Il-jong, a member of the People Power Party.