청 협치 모델 'Yeo-Ya-Jeong 협의체', Will the New Coronavirus Revive It?

Growing Calls for Bipartisan Political Response... Focus on Reactivating Cooperative Governance System to Resolve National Issues

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Jeon Jin-young] The Blue House has begun preliminary work to reactivate the 'cooperation system.' This comes as concerns over the novel coronavirus infection (Wuhan pneumonia) are spreading, prompting calls mainly from the political sphere for a joint response that transcends ideology and political factions.

On the 5th, Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at a high-level party-government-Blue House council, "We will make further efforts with a humble attitude to cooperate with the opposition and lead a bipartisan response from the political world."

The government also plans to respond flexibly to the opposition's demand to expand the list of regions subject to entry bans from China. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun said at the meeting, "We will closely check not only Hubei Province in China but also the surrounding areas and take necessary measures between the two countries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There is a broad consensus in the political world on the need for a meeting between President Moon Jae-in and the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties regarding major national issues. On the 3rd, Sim Sang-jung, leader of the Justice Party, said, "The political world must stop political strife surrounding the novel coronavirus and mobilize national capabilities to the fullest." This implies the necessity of holding a ruling-opposition-Blue House consultative body involving the Blue House and political parties.

The ruling-opposition-Blue House consultative body is a forum for discussing national issues agreed upon by President Moon and party leaders in August 2018. Although holding meetings once per quarter was considered, it has been effectively 'closed' since November 2018. Cooperation and communication were also emphasized by President Moon in his New Year's address this year. If a meeting with the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties is held under the pretext of responding to the novel coronavirus, the spark of cooperation could be rekindled.

Regarding this, a Blue House official said, "If the National Assembly officially proposes the holding of the 'ruling-opposition-Blue House consultative body,' we plan to consider it." This is a message indicating a flexible attitude toward responding to the situation. However, the Blue House must be cautious because if the opposition shows a lukewarm response, it could lead to unnecessary trouble. If the National Assembly formally proposes it in an appropriate format, the Blue House meeting could gain momentum.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, also proposed a summit meeting to discuss economic and livelihood issues at a New Year's press conference on January 23. The novel coronavirus issue significantly affects not only the economy and livelihoods but also safety and citizens' daily lives. There is ample reason for a Blue House meeting to be arranged.

The variable is the increasingly steep confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties ahead of the 21st general election on April 15. In a reality where the opposition is at odds with the government, a 'political picture' that aligns with government administration could be a burden.

While the opposition may criticize the government, if it takes the lead in resolving the national crisis, it can secure an image as a governing party. It is noteworthy whether the novel coronavirus situation will become a catalyst for shifting from politics of conflict and confrontation to politics of coexistence.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.