PCA Act Referred to Agenda Coordination Committee Amid Ruling Party's Attempt to Process... Meeting Scheduled for Tomorrow (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (Gongsoocheo) Act, which is fiercely contested between the ruling and opposition parties, was referred to the Agenda Adjustment Committee on the 7th amid opposition from the People Power Party. The bill, which has significant disagreements between the parties, is set to have an adjustment period, but the ruling party is showing determination to process it quickly and is speeding up the formation of the committee.

The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee held the first subcommittee on bill examination in the morning and referred the Gongsoocheo Act amendment to the Agenda Adjustment Committee. While the floor leaders of both parties agreed to engage in additional negotiations for the recommendation of the Gongsoocheo chief, the Democratic Party attempted to pass the amendment, prompting the People Power Party to request referral to the Agenda Adjustment Committee.

Later, Yoon Hojung, the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, issued a statement in the afternoon requesting, "In accordance with Article 57-2, Paragraph 5 of the National Assembly Act, each negotiation group’s floor leader in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is asked to recommend adjustment committee members by 6 p.m. on the 7th."

The Agenda Adjustment Committee is composed of an equal number of members from both parties within the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The Democratic Party appointed three members, the People Power Party two, and Chair Yoon designated Representative Choi Kangwook of the Open Democratic Party as the member representing non-negotiating parties. Chair Yoon stated that the committee meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on the 8th.

Although the People Power Party has effectively chosen the Agenda Adjustment Committee as a delay tactic, the ruling party intends to expedite the process regardless of the committee. Baek Hyeryeon, the Democratic Party’s floor leader in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, expressed a strong will to push forward, saying, "We will go through all procedures, but (90 days) is the maximum period, and it can be processed immediately."

The People Power Party is strongly opposing and continuing picket protests in front of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Kim Doeup, the People Power Party’s floor leader, said, "It is unclear whether the negotiations between the floor leaders are the Democratic Party’s genuine intention or if the unilateral rush is sincere. Given the current situation, the negotiations seem to be for show to the public, while the real intention is to push through the bill on the 9th under the president’s directive."

The People Power Party is considering obstruction tactics such as filibustering (legal procedural obstruction).

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