People Power Party demands return of Justice Committee chair, citing Democratic Party's 'monopoly' and 'mismanagement'

People Power Party floor leader Jeong Jin-suk demanded the return of the Justice and Legislation Committee chairmanship, asserting it is crucial for restoring a functional legislature. He criticized the Democratic Party's monopolization of the committee during the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, calling it a violation of parliamentary precedent.

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To create a National Assembly that works, not one that films shorts, and to restore a normal National Assembly, the chairmanship of the Justice and Legislation Committee must be returned to our party.

Jeong argued that the Democratic Party's stewardship of the committee had been subpar. He pointed to past chairpersons, including those who allegedly operated based on personal whims, faced investigations for stock trading during plenary sessions, or excluded opposition members. He also recalled instances of what he described as a "disgraceful" impeachment hearing for the Supreme Court chief justice and disruptive behavior during inspections.

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In the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, the Democratic Party broke with precedent and monopolized the National Assembly speaker and the Justice and Legislation Committee chairmanship.

He further alleged that the Democratic Party failed to properly review legislation, leading to hastily amended bills in plenary sessions. "Is this truly the image of a normal National Assembly?" Jeong questioned, highlighting concerns over the rushed passage of laws like the National Assembly Testimony and Subpoena Act and the establishment of a special trial for rebellion.

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If the Democratic Party had brought the committee and shown exemplary performance, our party might have recognized it as a new precedent. But did the Democratic Party really do well with the chairmanship?

In response, Democratic Party Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-seon insisted that the committee should remain with the ruling party to support the government's operations. He accused the People Power Party of delaying negotiations and focusing on discrediting the government, stating that their demand for the committee chairmanship is a "public declaration to obstruct state affairs." Hwang warned that ceding the committee to the opposition would create a "political crisis" akin to an energy shortage caused by a blocked Strait of Hormuz.

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The Democratic Party's demand to take the Justice and Legislation Committee is tantamount to a public declaration to obstruct state affairs.