From the Start of the Legislation Committee, 'Chaos'... Ruling Party's Proposal of 'Lease 3 Acts' Sparks Opposition Protest

Kim Do-eup, United Party Whip, "Are we being asked to play a supporting role?"
Yoon Ho-jung, Judiciary Committee Chair, "Are you saying minority parties will refuse legislative activities?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] "Are you going to forcibly pass the law here as well? Isn't it all just empty talk even if we debate?" (Kim Do-eup, Future United Party member)

"We must engage in opposing debate. Are you saying that if we become a minority party, we will refuse all parliamentary activities?" (Yoon Ho-jung, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee)

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting held on the 29th turned chaotic from the start over the agenda of the amendment to the Housing Lease Protection Act. The ruling party's push for passage met with opposition from the opposition party, leading to heated exchanges and shouting matches.

Kim Do-eup, the Future United Party's floor leader in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, claimed in a procedural statement, "The ruling party is pushing the agenda through under the pretext of substitute debate," and sharply asked, "Are you going to forcibly pass it like the day before in the Planning and Finance Committee and the Land Committee?" He criticized, "If you forcibly pass it, no matter how much we talk here, it will be empty words, and if the chairman passes it unilaterally, there is no reason to be a mere bystander."

In response, Chairman Yoon said, "Are you going to say that everyone left and it was passed without debate? It was the opposition members who refused, so can you accuse us of passing it unilaterally?" He added, "Form a subcommittee and reach an agreement. Once the subcommittee is formed, we can conclude the session." Kim requested, "Please recess so we can form the subcommittee," but Chairman Yoon refused, saying to reach an agreement while the bill debate is ongoing.

Chairman Yoon also reacted strongly to Kim's 'bystander' remark, saying, "Is voting against a bill being a bystander? Then does that mean you only engage in parliamentary activities when you are the majority party and refuse all activities when you are the minority?"

The conflict intensified when Chairman Yoon pushed to table an alternative to the Lease Protection Act. When Yoon said, "Those in favor, please stand," Future United Party members protested vehemently, leading to loud exchanges. The Future United Party protested, "Why table the bill while saying to form a subcommittee?" and "Is this a democratic force?" Meanwhile, Baek Hye-ryun, the Democratic Party floor leader in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, retorted, "It was the opposition who opposed forming the subcommittee until now."

The bill was tabled as all Democratic Party and Open Democratic Party members stood up. Future United Party members protested through procedural statements and began leaving one by one.

Kim said, "Looking at how the meeting is proceeding, it seems it will be just like the Land Committee and the Planning and Finance Committee," adding, "It's very regrettable." He criticized, "The Moon Jae-in administration proposed 22 measures, all of which failed and caused great confusion. I worry that this Lease Protection Act should be thoroughly simulated and verified before designating pilot areas and deciding whether to expand nationwide. I fear that this real estate policy will also follow the same failed path."

In response, Baek emphasized, "There have been continuous discussions on amendments in previous parliaments, but they were delayed with the logic of 'not now,' so they couldn't be passed. This can no longer be postponed."

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