與 "Don't Miss the Last Chance" vs. Joo Ho-young "No Standing Committee Negotiations" (Summary)

與 "This Week to Finalize Standing Committee Formation... Need to Normalize National Assembly"
Joo Ho-young Expected to Return to National Assembly This Week... "No Negotiation on Committee Formation"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is listening to a speech at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 22nd. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] As the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties over the organization of the 21st National Assembly continues, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the Future United Party, who had been staying in seclusion at a temple, announced his intention to return this week. Meanwhile, Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized, "No matter what happens this week, we will complete the formation of the standing committees."

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 22nd, Lee said, "There is a limit to the patience of the Democratic Party and the people," adding, "The United Party must clearly recognize that the formation of the National Assembly is not a matter for negotiation or concession."

He continued, "The timing of the supplementary budget is very important, and the effectiveness varies greatly depending on when it is executed," stressing, "It must be passed in the June National Assembly."

Regarding the United Party, which is not participating in the National Assembly's schedule, he pointed out, "I cannot help but ask whether the internal affairs of the United Party are more important than the livelihood crisis of millions of ordinary people, small businesses, and self-employed individuals," and urged, "Do not miss the opportunity to return and express your position through normal parliamentary activities."

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party, who has been laying low, is seen moving with a stern expression toward the Daeungjeon Hall at Bulyoungsa Temple in Uljin, Gyeongbuk, on the 20th. / Photo by Yonhap News

Immediately after Lee's remarks, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, welcomed Joo Ho-young's intention to return to the National Assembly, saying, "There is news of Floor Leader Joo's return this week, and the door to dialogue is always wide open," and added, "We expect a quick decision from the United Party."

He also urged, "There is no reason to hesitate in normalizing the National Assembly amid pressing national issues," and requested, "Please cooperate in normalizing the National Assembly starting today."

Earlier, on the 21st, Floor Leader Joo had expressed his intention to return to the National Assembly this week in an interview with 'Yonhap News.' He said that Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Party, and five first-term United Party lawmakers visited him one after another to persuade him to return.

However, Floor Leader Joo drew a line by stating that even if he returns to the National Assembly, he has no intention of resuming negotiations with the Democratic Party over the organization of the National Assembly. It is reported that he expressed that as long as the Democratic Party holds the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which serves as a check on parliamentary power, there is no need for the opposition to hold any other standing committee chair positions. This is interpreted as a willingness to forgo all standing committee chairmanships, thereby placing all responsibility for national governance on the ruling party.

At the National Assembly plenary session held on the 15th to elect the first standing committee chairperson of the 21st National Assembly, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is making a procedural statement amid the absence of United Future Party members. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, on the 15th, the Democratic Party unilaterally held a plenary session of the National Assembly without the participation of the United Party and pushed through the election of six standing committee chairpersons, including the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.

The United Party boycotted the plenary session, claiming that it was a "tyranny" for the ruling Democratic Party to take the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship, which has traditionally been held by the main opposition party.

On that day, Floor Leader Joo, attending the plenary session alone as the representative of the United Party, criticized, "Checks and balances are the reason for the existence of the National Assembly," and asked, "What is the Democratic Party afraid of that it clings to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship and insists on keeping it until the end?"

He added, "Today will be the day the National Assembly ceases to exist in our history," and emphasized, "We will give up all 18 standing committees. I hope the Democratic Party does not forget the curse of the victor and the curse of power."

After the plenary session ended that day, Floor Leader Joo announced his resignation, saying, "I will take responsibility for failing to check the ruling party's unilateral actions," and went into seclusion at a local temple.

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