Unified Party General Assembly Turns into a Giant Ruling Party Criticism Venue... "Let's Hang Banners and Hold Small-Scale Rallies" (Comprehensive)

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] On the morning of the 29th, the United Future Party held an open party meeting at the National Assembly and condemned the ruling party's unilateral handling of bills in standing committees. While criticizing the ruling party's unilateral actions, voices suggesting the need for 'street protests' also emerged, pointing out the passive attitude of the lawmakers.

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party, stated at the National Assembly main building that morning, "Today, we will make the entire party meeting public to condemn the Democratic Party's tyranny, shamelessness, destruction of the rule of law, and destruction of parliamentary democracy."

Floor leader Joo said, "Since the overwhelming majority was secured after the general election, arrogant and insolent acts beyond description have occurred. You may have experienced this during the opening negotiation process, but during the government questioning session, the prime minister and ministers gathered with arrogance and insolence, failed to submit materials during hearings, provoked to the extent that it was unclear who was questioning and who was being questioned, and there was the unilateral convening of standing committees yesterday. Especially, they are recklessly handling matters related to taxes," he pointed out.

He added, "I am confident about how the Democratic Party and the Moon administration will end, but what about the ensuing national confusion and harm to the people? Let's discuss how to effectively inform the public and block the Democratic Party in the future."

In a subsequent statement, Kim Do-eup, the judiciary committee secretary, said, "Despite presenting 22 real estate policies, they have failed, and the Democratic Party and the Blue House must take responsibility for pushing bills without any verification." He also asked floor leader Joo, "Did Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, say something to the effect of 'Given the failure of real estate policies, we cannot just stand by and do nothing, so although the effect is unknown, we have no choice but to push the real estate law'?"

Ryu Seong-geol, the secretary of the Strategy and Finance Committee, said, "When it comes to real estate measures, the bill should include how to stabilize prices and how to provide housing welfare, but it only reflects matters related to increases in capital gains tax rates, corporate tax rates, and comprehensive real estate tax rates," pointing out, "It is essentially a tax increase policy rather than a real estate policy."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Heon-seung, the secretary of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, also said, "The 21st National Assembly has echoed the prelude to an era of parliamentary dictatorship in many places," adding, "They ignored the principle of consolidated review and tried to add two more bills on the same day at the site, and when opposed, they held a standing vote. They unilaterally passed eight bills without the opposition present."

Kim Seong-won, the chief floor whip, said, "The Democratic Party is now ignoring everything and pushing only bills that suit their tastes, ignoring bills submitted by our party members," and added, "Today’s Steering Committee also pushed through the three Public Officials Corruption Investigation Laws and the Personnel Hearing Act, despite no urgency, carrying out unilateral parliamentary dictatorship."

Voices suggesting street protests even with small gatherings emerged. Representative Hong Moon-pyo said, "It is not the time to remain silent like this. If we are afraid even to wear a ribbon, we have no value as the opposition," and added, "We should gather our grievances and at least hang banners. If that is not possible, we should hold small-scale rallies by regional party branches to inform party members."

He said, "Regardless of whether people like or dislike us, we must act together for the Republic of Korea," and added, "Only the order of deciding and acting remains, even if it means holding a full meeting of both inside and outside the assembly."

Representative Cho Hae-jin also said, "If this continues, we will have to close the National Assembly," and added, "If we have to live the next four years like this, with the existence of the National Assembly and individual lawmakers in question, what reason is there to cling to the four-year term?" He continued, "Lawmakers who can do nothing, receiving salaries but unable to do anything," and said, "The time has come to risk everything and fight to protect parliamentary democracy."

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