Democratic Party Elects Four Standing Committee Chairs Including Legislation and Judiciary; Na Kyungwon Begins Overnight Sit-In

Kim Byungkee, Lee Choonseok, Kim Kyohung, and Han Byungdo Elected as Committee Chairs
Song Eonseok: "The Legislative Rampage of the Ruling Party Has Begun"
Woo Wonshik Expresses Regret Over "Unavoidable Decision"

On June 27, the National Assembly held a plenary session and elected Kim Byungkee, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, as the chairman of the Steering Committee. Lee Choonseok, a Democratic Party lawmaker, was elected as chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee; Kim Kyohung, a Democratic Party lawmaker, as chairman of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee; and Han Byungdo, a Democratic Party lawmaker, as chairman of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts.

The National Assembly convened the plenary session on this day to elect standing committee chairpersons. However, lawmakers from the People Power Party, who had demanded the transfer of the chairmanships of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, did not attend the session. In the anonymous vote, acting leader Kim Byungkee received 164 votes. Lawmakers Lee Choonseok, Kim Kyohung, and Han Byungdo each received 166 votes.

During the plenary session, the People Power Party held a protest rally in the Rotunda Hall. Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said in his protest speech, "President Lee Jaemyung, as a candidate, said the essence of politics was communication, respecting and acknowledging others, and compromise. However, less than a month after taking office, all these words have proven to be blatant lies," adding, "The Democratic Party is unilaterally convening the plenary session and monopolizing the chairmanships of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the Steering Committee, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee without bipartisan agreement." Song particularly emphasized, "The legislative rampage of the ruling party has finally begun," and argued, "With the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee taken today, the Lee Jaemyung administration will seize control of the legislative function and suffocate the judiciary." Lawmaker Na Kyungwon of the People Power Party called for the withdrawal of the confirmation bill for Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok and decided to begin an overnight sit-in at the Rotunda Hall.

People from the People Power Party are leaving the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th in protest against the ruling party-led election of the chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and other standing committee chairpersons. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Byungkee, who was elected as chairman of the Steering Committee, said in his inaugural remarks, "As chairman, I will work to create a National Assembly that serves the sovereign people and builds a better life for the people," adding, "Our economy is in a dire situation, and the lives of the people are under threat. At this critical time, the National Assembly must function as a working parliament and cooperate with one heart and mind to restore the people's economy, end internal strife, and achieve national unity."

Lee Choonseok, elected as chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said, "I briefly stepped outside and heard the People Power Party lawmakers holding a protest rally. It almost sounded as if those voices were coming from within our committee," adding, "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee stands at the forefront of partisan strife. The committee is indeed a place for confrontation, but I hope it becomes a battleground for policy alternatives to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people, not for political infighting."

Kim Kyohung, elected as chairman of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, said, "I believe the strength to compete among leading advanced nations lies in culture," and added, "I will keep in mind the words of Kim Gu, who said that the power he most wished for was the power of a high culture, and I will do my utmost to make Korea a cultural powerhouse."

Han Byungdo, elected as chairman of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, said, "There are cries from the field that there is no hope in people's daily lives. To overcome this complex crisis, efficient execution of the national budget is more important than ever," adding, "We must quickly review and finalize the supplementary budget bill submitted by the government to provide a priming effect for stabilizing people's livelihoods and revitalizing the economy."

Speaker Woo Wonshik of the National Assembly expressed regret prior to the plenary vote over the fact that the election of standing committee chairpersons was carried out virtually without the participation of the People Power Party, but explained that it was an unavoidable decision. He said, "It is uncomfortable to see all the People Power Party lawmakers leave. The situation inside and outside the country is difficult. The people are calling for us to unite to overcome the crisis. Considering the sacrifices and pain the people have endured over the past six months, the formation of the standing committees, which is a prerequisite for getting to work, must be completed as soon as possible," he explained.

Speaker Woo especially emphasized the need for swift passage of the supplementary budget submitted by the government, stating, "At this point, even if we allow a few more days, there seems to be virtually no possibility of progress in negotiations," and added, "Rather than delaying any further, I judged that it was unavoidable for the Speaker to step in and resolve the situation."