Plenary Session Before the National Convention:
People Power Party Says, "Spoiling the Celebration"
Democratic Party Responds, "Negotiation Possible, But Not Beyond the 24th"
Standoff Over the Yellow Envelope Act:
Ruling Party Argues, "Legislative Overreach Framing"
With just three days remaining until the People Power Party's national convention to elect new leadership, the party is facing dual challenges: the pressure of a search and seizure operation by the special prosecutor team investigating Kim Keonhee, and the Democratic Party's push to pass key controversial bills. The People Power Party has requested a postponement of the plenary session, criticizing the move as "spoiling someone else's celebration," but the Democratic Party remains firm in its plan to complete the legislative process for the so-called "Yellow Envelope Act" (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act) and other bills before August 24.
Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Floor Strategy Meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yonhap News
On August 19, Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, said at the party's Floor Strategy Meeting at the main building of the National Assembly, "The Democratic Party has announced its intention to convene a plenary session on the 21st to finalize the passage of the Broadcasting Control Act and to push through anti-market bills such as the law encouraging illegal strikes and the even tougher Commercial Act." He added, "Whether it's the special prosecutor team raiding us like burglars or the ruling party insisting on holding a plenary session just a day before our national convention, I don't understand why they are so desperate to disrupt the opposition's convention."
The Democratic Party plans to vote on the amendment to the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, one of the "three broadcasting laws" that was filibustered at the August 5 plenary session, and then immediately pass the Yellow Envelope Act and the second amendment to the Commercial Act. In response, the People Power Party intends to counter with a filibuster. Considering that each bill requires 24 hours for the conclusion of the filibuster and voting, the plenary session is expected to continue until at least August 24.
Kim Hyunjung, the Democratic Party's Floor Spokesperson, told reporters, "The People Power Party has requested an adjustment to the plenary session schedule, and our official position is that we are open to discussions." She added, "One proposal is to process all bills on the 21st, but we are also willing to ensure sufficient time for voting if the national convention and the filibuster proceed as scheduled." She emphasized, "The plenary session schedule between the 21st and 24th is negotiable, but extending it beyond the 24th is not an option."
On the 5th, the partial amendment to the Broadcasting Act was passed at the National Assembly plenary session. Yonhap News
Regarding the People Power Party's request to reconsider the Yellow Envelope Act, she responded, "Even though we have reflected the business community's opinions and proposed a more acceptable bill than the one President Yoon Sukyeol vetoed twice, asking for another discussion is simply an attempt to frame us as engaging in legislative overreach." She further argued, "The demands for schedule negotiations are also part of this framing effort."
The People Power Party faces the challenge of managing both the national convention on August 22 (and a possible runoff on the 26th) and the filibuster simultaneously, meaning that if the plenary session proceeds as scheduled, their personnel and attention will inevitably be divided. Compounding the situation, the special prosecutor team investigating the "Geonjin Buddhist monk and Unification Church lobbying allegations" is reportedly aiming to secure the party's membership list through a search and seizure at the central party headquarters. Chairman Song has been on emergency overnight standby at party headquarters since the previous day, remaining there until the search warrant expires.
Meanwhile, the unification of pro-impeachment candidates for party leader, considered the final variable in the People Power Party's national convention, now seems unlikely. Since mobile voting begins on the 20th, today is the last possible day for such a move. Candidate Cho Kyungtae once again proposed unification to candidate Ahn Cheolsoo, saying he would leave the method and process up to him, but Ahn's camp reportedly plans to proceed alone to the runoff. One People Power Party lawmaker commented, "Unless both candidates are convinced that unification would be in their favor, there is absolutely no chance of it happening."
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