National Assembly Plenary Session Postponed Amid North Korea Security Crisis... Will Ruling and Opposition Parties Reconcile?

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok attended the meeting of floor leaders from negotiating parties for the organization of the National Assembly held at the National Assembly on the 11th, where Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, exchanged greetings. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok decided on the 19th to postpone the plenary session of the National Assembly, which was scheduled to finalize the election of standing committee chairs. Judging that the security situation has reached a critical point due to North Korea's provocations, he gave more time for the final stage of negotiations on the organization of the National Assembly to promote bipartisan cooperation. Attention is focused on whether the ruling and opposition parties can find common ground amid the security crisis related to North Korea.

Han Minsu, the National Assembly's chief public relations officer, held a press conference at the National Assembly that morning and stated, "Speaker Park decided not to convene the plenary session on the 19th, considering the opposition party's leadership vacuum."

He explained, "Our country is currently facing a national crisis. The economic downturn triggered by COVID-19 is deepening, and inter-Korean relations are reverting to a confrontational phase. The minimum standing committees, which must guarantee the people's lives and safety, were launched on the 15th because the National Assembly must not remain paralyzed in the face of this severe domestic and international environment."

He added, "This is a national emergency. There can be no distinction between ruling and opposition parties when it comes to people's livelihoods, the economy, and national security. We urge the floor leaders of both parties to reach an agreement on the organization of the Assembly as soon as possible."

As a result, the ruling and opposition parties have gained more time for negotiations on the organization of the Assembly. Speaker Park did not announce the date of the next plenary session nor set a separate deadline for negotiations. However, given the ongoing breakdown in dialogue between the parties, it remains uncertain whether an agreement will be reached.

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The Democratic Party continued to pressure the United Future Party to return to the negotiation table. At the party's Supreme Council meeting, Democratic Party leader Lee Hae-chan said, "We have been patient and engaged in dialogue with the United Future Party. One cannot help but ask whether the United Future Party is a party aiming to govern," adding, "I hope they will not miss this opportunity and return to the National Assembly. I once again urge them to join us in resolving the security crisis and various social issues."

Democratic Party floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon also said at the meeting, "It is understandable for the ruling and opposition parties to disagree on policy lines, but in an emergency situation, we must unite our strength," and added, "Bipartisan politics is the dignity of the National Assembly that the people desire. We urge the normalization of the National Assembly."

However, the United Future Party has shown little sign of returning to negotiations since floor leader Joo Ho-young announced his intention to resign and went into seclusion. In an interview with a media outlet the previous day, Joo clearly stated that he could not cooperate with the ruling party's unilateral election of standing committee chairs, saying, "(The Democratic Party) must change first."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and is talking with Kim Seong-won, chief deputy floor leader, during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The remaining standing committees are the Budget and Accounts, Steering, Political Affairs, Education, Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Administration and Security, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs and Oceans and Fisheries, Environment and Labor, Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Intelligence, and Women and Family Committees ? a total of 12. If bipartisan agreement fails again, it is expected that the Democratic Party will forcibly elect chairs for the five committees tentatively agreed upon as their share (Steering, Science and Technology, Administration and Security, Women and Family, and Intelligence).

Some predict that the North Korean crisis could serve as a pretext for the ruling and opposition parties to find common ground in dialogue. If the half-functioning National Assembly situation continues, it will be difficult to avoid criticism that they are neglecting national security in a 'turf war.' This is a painful critique for both the Democratic Party, which is responsible for governance, and the United Future Party, which has traditionally emphasized security.

In fact, within the United Future Party, some senior lawmakers such as Ha Tae-kyung and Jang Je-won have suggested partially attending only the foreign affairs and security-related standing committees like Foreign Affairs and Unification, Defense, and Intelligence Committees.

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