Lee Jae-myung Raises "National Recall System," Ruling Party Lawmakers Respond with 'Jeering'

Lee Jae-myung Announces Intention to Promote National Recall System and 30 Trillion Won Supplementary Budget
Ruling Party Lawmakers Protest... Tell Lee, "Mind Your Own Business"

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 10th. 2025.2.10 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

"We will wide open the door to a democratic republic. As the first step, we will introduce a National Recall System for members of the National Assembly."

On the morning of the 10th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed his intention to introduce the National Recall System for members of the National Assembly during the negotiation group leaders' speech at the National Assembly. However, members of the People Power Party attending the plenary session of the National Assembly showed a cynical attitude, saying, "Return the money you spent on corporate cards first, then talk." On that day, Lee raised various issues including the National Recall System, the preparation of an additional budget worth 30 trillion won, and the declaration of special areas for industrial crisis response, but the opposition applauded while the ruling party jeered, sharply confronting each other.

Lee's announcement of the intention to introduce the National Recall System that day is interpreted as a will to take the lead on political reform issues by emphasizing popular sovereignty. The purpose is to bring 'public opinion from the square' ahead of the early presidential election phase. However, as soon as Lee finished speaking, members of the People Power Party raised their voices in criticism. This led to a chaotic scene with Democratic Party members protesting.

As the confusion in the chamber continued, Lee said, "If you don't interfere, I will proceed faster," and "I will listen quietly when the (People Power Party) leader speaks tomorrow." In particular, Lee pointed out the citizens who came to observe that day, saying, "Didn't you say even elementary school students are here watching?"

Lee also mentioned the contentious issue of the 52-hour workweek, where there is a significant difference in opinion between the ruling and opposition parties.

Lee said, "We rank 5th among OECD countries in long working hours, working more than a month longer than the OECD average," and "to move toward a creative and autonomous advanced technology society, we must reduce working hours, pass through a 4.5-day workweek, and advance to a 4-day workweek country." When ruling party members criticized this by shouting "flexibility," Lee continued his determined remarks without a script.

Lee addressed the ruling party members, saying, "Please maintain some dignity," and "Isn't it said that if you don't increase working hours but have flexible work including night work, extended work, and weekend work, the corresponding compensation will be paid?" When voices from ruling party members said, "Read the script quickly," Lee retorted, "Please wait."

The difference in positions between the ruling and opposition parties was also revealed over pension reform. Lee said, "There is no disagreement on the 13% insurance premium rate, and the 44% income replacement rate proposed by the People Power Party is only 1% different from the Democratic Party's final proposal of 45%," and suggested, "Let's start reform from parts that can be agreed upon immediately," but the ruling party showed a difference in perception, saying, "Who is claiming 44%?"

Lee also proposed "an additional budget of at least 30 trillion won," saying, "If necessary for the preparation of the supplementary budget, I will not insist on specific items," but ruling party members criticized, saying, "Don't you remember the budget cuts?" During Lee's approximately 43-minute speech, members of both parties occasionally attacked and blamed each other. Some ruling party members left their seats early.

On that day, the ruling and opposition parties only reaffirmed their differences over various current issues, foreshadowing that future consultations such as the government-party negotiation council will be difficult. When Lee said, "The changes we will create are so big and serious that we must gather everyone's wisdom. Shouldn't our People Power Party members join together?" a ruling party member responded, "Mind your own business."