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PPP protests DP's 'one-way' committee formation; DP says 'endured enough'

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • The Democratic Party (DP) unilaterally selected chairpersons for 10 standing committees and the Special Committee on Budget and Planning, leading to strong opposition from the People Power Party (PPP).
  • The PPP criticized the DP's actions as "one-way politics" and a violation of minority party respect, staging a protest and boycotting the vote.
  • The DP defended its decision, citing the need to address urgent legislative tasks and the "reform agenda," particularly regarding the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

Tensions have escalated in the South Korean National Assembly as the Democratic Party (DP) unilaterally appointed chairpersons for 10 standing committees and the Special Committee on Budget and Planning. This move followed the collapse of negotiations with the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) over the formation of the assembly's leadership for its second half.

We have endured as much as we can.

โ€” Han Byung-doThe DP's floor leader signaled their decision to proceed with the unilateral formation of committees after negotiations failed.

The PPP vehemently opposed the DP's actions, labeling them as "arrogant politics" and a "backroom deal" that disregards the minority party. PPP floor leader Chung Jin-suk stated they would not participate in a "one-way distribution of spoils." The party's lawmakers protested at the Speaker's office, demanding a postponement, and subsequently boycotted the plenary session where the DP's nominees were elected.

This is arrogant politics that shows no respect for the minority party, and old-fashioned backroom politics.

โ€” Chung Jin-sukThe PPP floor leader criticized the DP's unilateral approach to forming the National Assembly committees.

DP floor leader Han Byung-do, however, asserted that the party had "endured as much as possible" and intended to immediately convene the committees to begin legislative work, including what he termed an "์ž…๋ฒ• ์ „์Ÿ" (legislative war). The DP justified the selection of Rep. Seo Young-kyo as chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, noting her previous tenure and unfinished "reform agenda," particularly concerning prosecutorial reform.

The claim that they will create a 'working National Assembly' is a blatant lie. This reappointment is to appease President Lee Jae-myung's 'royal order' to pass the special prosecutor bill for the cancellation of prosecution.

โ€” Chung Jin-sukThe PPP floor leader accused the DP of prioritizing the president's agenda over genuine legislative work by reappointing the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chair.

Conversely, Chung Jin-suk accused the DP of hypocrisy, claiming their "working National Assembly" pledge was false and that the reappointment was aimed at appeasing President Lee Jae-myung's directive to pass a special prosecutor bill. The PPP plans to decide on further actions, potentially including a boycott of the assembly, in an upcoming general meeting.

Rep. Seo Young-kyo served as the chair for about three months in the first half and has several reform tasks that she started then. We decided it would be good to have continuity and consistency in carrying out major reform tasks, including prosecutorial reform.

โ€” Cheon Jun-hoThe DP's senior deputy floor leader explained the rationale behind reappointing Seo Young-kyo as chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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