[Jeongguk Spotlight] "Proposal of 14 Seats"... Five Opposition Parties' Behind-the-Scenes Negotiations to Loosen Parliamentary Group Rules Ahead of Presidential Election

Difficulties of Minor Opposition Parties Shared at Six-Party Meeting
Democratic Party Leaves Possibility Open for Easing Group Requirements
Some See It as a Pre-Election Move to Prevent Opposition Fragmentation

Amid discussions of a possible early presidential election, the opposition's move to ease the requirements for forming a parliamentary negotiation group is a variable that could influence the political dynamics. If minor opposition parties, including the Joguk Innovation Party, join the negotiation group, they could strengthen their political standing. However, the People Power Party is not pleased with the prospect of additional opposition-leaning negotiation groups, as it could further weaken their already absolute minority position in the National Assembly and reduce their negotiating power.

Minor opposition parties, including the Joguk Innovation Party, have begun behind-the-scenes efforts to ease the requirements for forming parliamentary negotiation groups. Given the necessity of unified opposition support for regime change, they see this as an opportune time to discuss easing the negotiation group requirements with the ruling Democratic Party, the main opposition party.

According to a report by Asia Economy, during a meeting of floor leaders from six opposition parties (Democratic Party, Joguk Innovation Party, Reform Innovation Party, Social Democratic Party, Progressive Party, Basic Income Party) held on the 25th at a restaurant in Seoul, some lawmakers proposed to Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party, an amendment to the National Assembly Act. It is reported that issues such as the limited number of opportunities for minor parties to participate in government questioning and restrictions on participation in various special parliamentary committees were discussed at this meeting.

According to Article 33 of the National Assembly Act, a parliamentary negotiation group is defined as a party with 20 or more members in the National Assembly. Parties forming negotiation groups can appoint policy research committee members funded by the state and receive legislative support funds from the government.

An anonymous key opposition official stated, "After the meeting, a member of the Democratic Party leadership proposed adjusting the requirement for forming a negotiation group to around 14 seats." The idea is to adjust the number of members required to form a negotiation group to at least one member participating in each of the 14 standing committees, excluding those where members overlap among the 18 standing committees in the National Assembly.

Yonhap News

When asked by Asia Economy whether Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, had heard that "the Democratic Party leadership proposed adjusting the number of members to ease the formation of opposition negotiation groups," he responded, "We are listening to various opinions regarding the easing of negotiation group requirements," leaving the matter open.

Until now, the Democratic Party leadership has been passive about easing the requirements for minor parties to form parliamentary negotiation groups. Cha Gyu-geun, a lawmaker from the Innovation Party, argued, "Our party received 6.87 million votes and holds 12 seats in the National Assembly, yet we are still a non-negotiation group. Political reform is essential to realize the diversity of a multiparty system in the National Assembly."

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "The aspiration of minor parties is to lower the barrier to entry into negotiation groups to strengthen their voice within the two-party system and solidify their political position." While minor opposition parties hope to enter negotiation groups through presidential election alliances, it is uncertain whether discussions on easing the requirements will gain momentum. The Democratic Party may change its stance after the presidential election, and it is also difficult to expect cooperation from the ruling party.

If the People Power Party undergoes a split amid political realignment, the political interests regarding easing negotiation group requirements could change. However, if the current seat distribution continues, easing the requirements would be unfavorable to the People Power Party. Moreover, easing the requirements is a significant amendment to the National Assembly Act that requires bipartisan agreement, making it difficult for either side to push through unilaterally, which is another variable in the discussion.