'Parliamentary Leadership and Prime Minister Confirmation at Weekend Turning Point... People Power Party Holds Emergency Meeting to Intensify Efforts'

Lee to Host Bipartisan Leaders for Luncheon on June 22 at Official Residence
Key Issues: Supplementary Budget, Kim Minseok's Confirmation
People Power Party Holds Emergency Meeting, Targets Kim Minseok

President Lee Jae Myung's upcoming luncheon with the leadership of both the ruling and opposition parties, scheduled for June 22 at the official residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, is expected to serve as a watershed moment for discussions on various political issues. With the People Power Party intensifying its criticism of what it calls a "personnel disaster" in the early days of President Lee's administration, attention is focused on whether this luncheon will pave the way for bipartisan cooperation on key parliamentary matters.

President Lee Jae Myung is presiding over a Cabinet meeting at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News

The most active discussions at the luncheon are expected to center on the supplementary budget bill, over which the ruling and opposition parties remain divided, particularly regarding the payment of livelihood support funds. The Democratic Party advocates for issuing regional currency and providing between 150,000 and 520,000 won per person in livelihood support funds to boost consumption. In contrast, the People Power Party is concerned about the potential inflationary pressures such measures could cause. Kim Byungki, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the party's Supreme Council meeting on June 20, "The National Assembly must be activated swiftly to overcome the national crisis. President Lee Jae Myung has timely proposed a meeting with party leaders," adding, "The Democratic Party will work with the Lee Jae Myung administration to deliver tangible results for the people."

The confirmation of Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok and the allocation of standing committee chair positions in the National Assembly are also key issues. With a confirmation hearing for Kim scheduled for June 24-25, the People Power Party maintains that confirmation is difficult due to various controversies and allegations surrounding the nominee. Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is expected to convey concerns about Kim's nomination directly to President Lee during the luncheon. On June 23, the Democratic Party and the People Power Party are set to resume discussions on the allocation of vacant committee chair positions, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the Strategy and Finance Committee, and the Steering Committee, suggesting that active dialogue on these topics will also take place during the luncheon.

People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae and Floor Leader Song Unseok are attending and conversing at the "Corruption Department Store Lee Jae Myung Government Personnel Hearing Countermeasure Emergency Members' Meeting" held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, the People Power Party convened an emergency general meeting of its lawmakers on June 20 to strengthen its strategy for vetting the Lee Jae Myung administration's initial Cabinet nominees, including Kim Minseok. At the meeting, Floor Leader Song Unseok stated, "The personnel disaster of the Lee Jae Myung administration continues," and warned, "If Kim Minseok is confirmed as Prime Minister, it will completely undermine ethical standards in the public sector and foster fundamental public distrust in the judicial system."

In particular, the People Power Party is also considering forming a personnel verification task force (TF). The party aims to replicate its 2019 success, when the then-Liberal Korea Party established a TF to investigate allegations against then-Justice Minister nominee Cho Kuk, leading to his resignation after just 35 days in office. A People Power Party official commented, "With many nominees expected, the standing committees will likely need to handle much of the process," adding, "While the specifics of the TF have yet to be decided, there is consensus that it is a good idea."

Given its minority status in the National Assembly, the People Power Party acknowledges that it will be difficult to block Kim Minseok's confirmation through a parliamentary vote alone, and thus plans to focus its efforts on swaying public opinion. Another party lawmaker stated, "We will push for the adoption of witnesses and references, including Kim's ex-wife," and added, "While members of the special personnel hearing committee are already raising various allegations, there is a call for broader participation from other lawmakers as well."