Final Day of Government Inquiry: Ruling and Opposition Parties Set to Clash Over Prosecution, Judiciary, Media Reform, and "Ending Rebellion"

On the final day of the government-wide inquiry at the National Assembly on September 18, the ruling and opposition parties will clash over issues in the fields of education, society, and culture.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoonchul is responding to a question from Kim Sanghoon, a member of the People Power Party, during a government-wide economic inquiry held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

The Democratic Party of Korea is expected to emphasize the need to end the "rebellion" and to reform the prosecution and judiciary, citing suspicions surrounding the meeting between Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Heedae and former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, as well as the establishment of a special court for rebellion-related cases.

The People Power Party is expected to argue that the government's and ruling party's moves to abolish the prosecution service and pressure the judiciary constitute a violation of the separation of powers.

The two parties are also likely to clash over the future of Lee Jinsook, chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission.

Other topics expected to be discussed include President Lee Jaemyung's appointment of Choi Kyojin as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, and the growing importance of intellectual property (IP) rights amid the recent surge in popularity of "K-Pop Demon Hunters."

Controversies are also expected over the alleged privatization of the Independence Hall of Korea by Kim Hyungseok, the director with a "New Right" orientation, and his remarks about the "Allied Forces' gift" on Liberation Day.

Meanwhile, participants in the inquiry on this day will include Prime Minister Kim Minseok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Choi Kyojin, Minister of Justice Chung Sungho, and Minister of the Interior and Safety Yoon Hojung.

From the Democratic Party of Korea, Assembly members Kim Junhyuk, Park Hongbae, Kang Deukgu, Lee Hoonki, Park Junghyun, and Kim Namhee will serve as questioners. From the People Power Party, Na Kyungwon, Kim Minjeon, Kang Seungkyu, and Kim Hyungdong will participate. From the minor opposition parties, Baek Sunhee of the Innovation Party for Korea will take part.