Kim Jongin: "Government Engaging in Anti-Parliamentary, Anti-Democratic Acts... Opposition Should Appeal to the People and Demonstrate Capabilities"

Kim Jongin, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, and Joo Hoyoung, Floor Leader, are attending an urgent members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dongju doso7@

[Asia Economy, Lee Jieun and Lim Chunhan] Kim Jongin, Chairman of the Emergency Committee of the United Future Party, criticized the government for continuing anti-parliamentary and anti-democratic actions, stating, "We may not be able to defeat the ruling party in terms of numbers, but let us appeal to the people and demonstrate our capabilities."

Attending the party members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 4th, Chairman Kim said in his opening remarks, "Let us organize our individual arguments and inform the public of what we can through our activities in the National Assembly. If we do so, the wise people will understand."

He continued, "Looking at the recent legislative process pushed by the government, it is clear that they are repeatedly engaging in anti-parliamentary and anti-democratic conduct. The people may have given the ruling party a supermajority, but that does not mean they gave them a mandate to ignore democratic order and do as they please in the National Assembly."

Chairman Kim further pointed out, "The government's failure in economic policy has led to the current situation, but without identifying the root causes, any measures taken will be ineffective. Regarding the recent rise in real estate prices, I can say that the various tax laws being introduced in the National Assembly are essentially 'harassing the people.'"

Highlighting the difficulty of direct confrontation due to their numerical disadvantage, Chairman Kim emphasized the importance of individual responses from lawmakers. He said, "What I want to ask of our lawmakers is that, while we may not be able to match the ruling party in numbers, we cannot simply abandon the National Assembly. If we appeal to the people and demonstrate our capabilities to the fullest, we will surely find an opportunity for victory."

Floor Leader Joo Hoyoung said, "With the exception of one or two agreed-upon bills, most of the legislation is being pushed through unilaterally by the Democratic Party without proper procedures." He pointed out, "Even though the real estate-related tax laws have a significant impact on the property rights of the people, there was no proper process or debate."

He referenced the ten demands made at the start of the extraordinary session of the National Assembly on July 16, stating, "We raised ten questions, such as how to achieve cooperation, the President's stance on the Yoon Mihyang scandal, whether there is any intention to change failed policies like income-led growth and the nuclear phase-out, and whether the minister responsible for the failed real estate policy will be held accountable. Yet, even as the session ends today, there has been no response from the Blue House."

Regarding the surge in real estate prices, he added, "Apartment prices in Seoul have reached their highest growth rate in seven years, and rental prices are also soaring. Even pro-government figures are criticizing, saying, 'What were you doing for the past three years, and why are you now blaming the previous administration for the skyrocketing home prices?'"

The United Future Party held a members' meeting on this day to discuss how to block the passage of the real estate and Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIH) related bills at the plenary session scheduled for the afternoon. Within the party, options such as filibusters, debates for and against, and free speeches are being considered.

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