Unification Party Fails to Conclude Extra-Parliamentary Struggle... "Shouting on the Streets Won't Solve Anything"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun, Kim Hye-min, Lim Chun-han] The United Future Party, being outnumbered in the National Assembly, raised the necessity of an 'extraparliamentary struggle,' but despite two days of party meetings, no conclusion was reached within the party. Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party's Emergency Response Committee Chairman, dismissed the idea of an extraparliamentary struggle, saying, "Going out on the streets and shouting won't solve anything."

On the morning of the 30th, the United Future Party held a party meeting at the National Assembly to discuss whether to engage in an extraparliamentary struggle and the methods thereof, but ultimately failed to reach a conclusion. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, told reporters immediately after the meeting that regarding whether to conduct a filibuster or boycott the National Assembly, "We will observe the situation and decide slowly later."

Regarding attendance at the plenary session held that afternoon, he stated, "There are huge procedural problems with the Lease Protection Act to be discussed in the plenary session, and many issues with its content, so we decided to participate in opposition debates but not in the vote." On whether to take some standing committee chairmanships to check the ruling party's unilateral operation of the National Assembly, he said, "We cannot just give a few standing committee chairmanships and say 'Let's share responsibility.' The people will see the Democratic Party's reckless actions and will stop it through the power and uprising of the people."

Within the party, there were talks about risking an extraparliamentary struggle to resist the ruling party's unilateral actions. In response, Chairman Kim said in his opening remarks before the party meeting, "It is the duty of lawmakers to make every effort to speak as much as possible in the standing committee plenary sessions so that the public can understand the reality of the National Assembly," adding, "The world is different now than in the past. Going out on the streets and shouting does not solve the problem." He pointed out the limitations of extraparliamentary struggles.

Chairman Kim also said, "Looking at the recent developments in the National Assembly, it seems to be a typical example of how elected power destroys democracy," and criticized, "Even under the Yushin regime, the National Assembly was never operated like this." He continued, "If the legislature continues to be powerless and undemocratic, going against the will of the people, opposition forces will naturally form outside," adding, "The United Future Party must change to the extent that the people can now trust this party. We must lead such change."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, is taking off his mask to give a speech at an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Floor leader Joo said, "I do not like extraparliamentary struggles, but I will not close the door on that possibility," adding, "With heavy rain causing a nationwide emergency, the vacation season, summer heat, and social distancing due to COVID-19, we are considering the timing and the method carefully," leaving room for possibility.

Meanwhile, at the Emergency Response Committee meeting that day, Chairman Kim pointed out the assault controversy involving Prosecutor Han Dong-hoon, saying, "Please think calmly about what impact the recent disgraceful incidents in the prosecution and the undemocratic behaviors occurring in the National Assembly will have on Korean society," and urged, "There are loud discordant noises in various sectors of society, but the president, who should oversee this, remains silent. We ask the president to clarify his position."

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