Ahead of Chuseok Holiday
Ruling Party Calls for "Restoring Livelihoods," Opposition for "A World Together"
Cho Huidae and Kim Hyeonji Summoned as Audit Witnesses
The Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party, which had been at odds over contentious legislative bills, both emphasized "people's livelihood" during the Chuseok holiday. However, after the holiday, the two parties are expected to clash over the issue of "witnesses." The standoff continues as the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party each demand the attendance of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae and Presidential Secretariat Chief Kim Hyeonji at the National Assembly.
According to both parties on October 4, the main theme for the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party during this Chuseok holiday was the livelihood of the people. Floor leader Kim Byeonggi stated at the Supreme Council meeting on October 2, "The National Assembly audit will begin on the 13th, right after the holiday," and added, "We will take the lead in realizing a working and productive National Assembly." He continued, "We will avoid outdated practices of public shaming and scolding as much as possible," emphasizing, "We will focus on tasks and solutions for restoring the people's livelihood and normalizing the nation."
Party leader Jeong Cheongrae also stressed, "The Democratic Party's goal is the same as always: to ensure the daily lives of the people continue and to improve their quality of life," adding, "To protect the daily lives of the people and enhance their well-being, the Democratic Party will do its utmost both to resolve the legacy of past uprisings and to address livelihood issues."
Jeong Cheongrae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on October 2, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On the same day, the leadership of the People Power Party, attending a songpyeon-making event at the Dongbaek Flower Senior Welfare Center in Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul, also highlighted the importance of people's livelihood. Party leader Jang Donghyeok said, "We will put our promise to better care for our seniors into these songpyeon, ensuring there are no neglected places," and pledged, "We must join forces to create a world where everyone lives together, shares, and respects one another."
However, after the Chuseok holiday, cooperation between the two parties is expected to be difficult. The Democratic Party of Korea, focusing on resolving past uprisings, and the People Power Party, raising allegations of secret power brokers, are set to engage in a battle over witnesses during the National Assembly audit.
The Democratic Party of Korea, which had raised suspicions of a four-person meeting involving Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae and former Prime Minister Han Deoksoo, pushed through a proposal at the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee on September 30. This was after all witnesses failed to attend the "hearing on allegations of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hui-dae's involvement in the presidential election." The proposal changes the Supreme Court audit scheduled for October 15 from the National Assembly to the Supreme Court itself and mandates an on-site inspection. Regarding the dismissal of a search and seizure warrant related to allegations of Judge Ji Guyon receiving entertainment, the party warned, "Is the judiciary a sacred and untouchable realm? The judiciary exists under the Constitution, under the sky, and under the people. Do not forget this fact."
In contrast, the People Power Party is pressuring the presidential office by demanding the attendance of Presidential Secretariat Chief Kim Hyeonji, who is embroiled in allegations of being a secret power broker in the Lee Jaemyeong administration, at the National Assembly Steering Committee's audit. When the committee convened on September 24 to discuss the audit plan and the list of witnesses and references, Kim's name, who was then the Presidential Office's Chief Secretary for General Affairs, was not included. The opposition criticized this as an attempt to shield close aides, since it is unusual for the Chief Secretary for General Affairs not to appear at the audit. After Kim was recently reassigned from Chief Secretary for General Affairs to Secretariat Chief, the opposition pointed out that this was a ploy to prevent her from being called to the audit.
Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the standing committee chairpersons and secretaries meeting held at the National Assembly on October 1, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
Floor leader Song Eon-seok, in a recent press conference, referred to reports that Kim Hyeonji had received a success fee on behalf of President Lee Jaemyeong during his time as a lawyer. He stated, "Kim is more than just a close aide; there are suspicions that she and President Lee form an economic community," and insisted, "We must thoroughly clarify the real status and power of Kim Hyeonji, who is said to be the number two figure in the current administration."
As the controversy grew, some in the ruling party suggested that Kim Hyeonji might attend the audit. On October 1, Han Jeongae, the Democratic Party's Policy Committee Chair, said on MBC Radio, "Although a Secretariat Chief has never appeared at an audit, if the opposition treats this as the sole goal of the audit, the person in question might say, 'Then I will attend.'" However, some within the party continue to argue that since Kim's current position is Secretariat Chief and there is no precedent for a Secretariat Chief attending the audit, there is no need for her to appear.
There are concerns that if the standoff between the two parties continues, urgent livelihood-related legislation may be endlessly delayed. As the ruling party pushed through four contentious bills, including the amendment to the Government Organization Act aimed at abolishing the Prosecutors' Office, and a filibuster (unlimited debate) lasted for five days from September 25 to 29, a total of 69 livelihood bills, including the "Emergency Room Transfer Prevention Act," remain pending and have not passed the plenary session. Shin Yul, a professor at Myongji University, criticized the current standoff, saying, "Politics is said to be the art of compromise, but right now, there is no politics at all."
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