Kim Tae-nyeon says "We can also take the Legislation and Judiciary Committee"... Will Joo Ho-young protect the Legislation and Judiciary Committee?

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Ahead of the 21st National Assembly, the ruling party, the Democratic Party of Korea, known as the 'super ruling party,' is moving to seize control in the upcoming committee formation. Kim Tae-nyeon, the new floor leader of the Democratic Party, suggested that the party might secure the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee) through a vote, emphasizing a 'working National Assembly.' This is a strong pressure tactic against the main opposition party, the United Future Party. For the United Future Party, which must secure the Law Committee to check the ruling party, this situation is urgent.

On the 12th, Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and responded to the host's question, "If you use the committee formation negotiations as leverage to delay, would you go to a vote?" by saying, "I don't mean to do that necessarily, but it cannot be ruled out." Traditionally, the National Assembly has formed standing committees such as the Law Committee and the Special Budget and Accounts Committee through negotiations among negotiating groups. However, Kim's preemptive offensive indicates that if negotiations fail this time, a vote might be held.

This is interpreted as an intention to leverage the advantage of a 'ruling party majority in the National Assembly' to obtain 'key standing committees.' When asked whether the chairmanship of the Law Committee or the Budget Committee could be decided by vote, he was cautious, saying, "We should try to reach an agreement through negotiations as much as possible." However, in an earlier interview on the 11th with TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' he revealed his intention by saying, "Until the 16th National Assembly, the ruling party held the Law Committee," implying that the Law Committee could be taken if necessary. This goes beyond the previous stance that the Law Committee's authority on system and clause review should be revised.

He also emphasized that a 'working National Assembly' reflects the people's will. Kim said, "Looking at the people's will in this general election, the public is commanding our National Assembly to properly overcome the COVID-19 crisis," adding, "I wonder if the public wants us to be dragged into the opposition's obstruction or nitpicking by using the opening of the National Assembly as a weapon, as in the past."

If the Law Committee, as Kim suggested, falls to the ruling party, it will become even more difficult for the United Future Party, which shrank to 84 seats after a crushing defeat, to check the 'super ruling party.' The Law Committee acts as the 'final gate' before bills move from standing committees to the plenary session, and historically, opposition parties have used it as a brake to prevent the ruling party's legislative dominance.

Accordingly, whether Joo Ho-young, the United Future Party floor leader elected with an overwhelming 59% support within the party, can defend the Law Committee at the negotiation table remains a key issue. Joo has held key positions such as spokesperson for elected members, chairman of the policy committee, and floor leader of the Bareun Party. During last year's National Assembly fast-track bill process, he proposed a filibuster strategy, gaining recognition as a 'strategist.' Kim also indicated room for negotiation by saying, "Floor Leader Joo also has concerns about the Law Committee." Joo, who temporarily left Yeouido due to his father's passing, will return to the National Assembly on the 13th to begin discussions on current issues with Kim.

As the two parties' tensions over standing committees begin, signs of 'cooperation' also emerge. On the 11th, Kang Ki-jung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, visited the funeral home for Floor Leader Joo's father to offer condolences and requested legislative cooperation. This cooperation task includes the 'National Employment Insurance System' mentioned by President Moon Jae-in in his special speech on the third anniversary of his inauguration. Following the president's mention, the National Assembly's Environment and Labor Committee on the 11th promptly passed bills expanding employment insurance coverage to artists and providing job-seeking allowances to low-income groups under the 'National Employment Support System.' The ruling and opposition parties plan to convene the last extraordinary session of the 20th National Assembly next week to hold a plenary session and process bills.

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