"Jiptokki Leaving"... Ruling Party's Sweep Bill Processing, Only Passage Left

Lee Nak-yeon, "Efforts to Internalize Power Agency Reform Once Passage Completed"
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Overcoming Criticism of 'Legislative Autocracy' Amid People Power Party's Opposition and Walkout Remains a Challenge

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 8th, the Democratic Party of Korea completed the processing of all reform laws related to power institutions, including the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (PCC) Act, the Fair Economy 3 Acts, and the 5.18 Special Act, which had been adopted as party policy, in the relevant standing committees. The Democratic Party now only has the procedure of passing the bills at the plenary session scheduled for the afternoon of the 9th remaining. With the amendment to the PCC Act passing the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the recommendation process of the PCC Chief Recommendation Committee, which had been stalled, is expected to resume soon.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said at the morning Supreme Council meeting, "Reform involves pain and resistance. We must overcome all difficulties, including such resistance, and advance history," emphasizing, "Once the bills pass the plenary session, we will continue efforts to internalize the reform of power institutions."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader, also stated, "Today, the Democratic Party will uphold the will of the people and process laws related to reform and fairness," adding, "As the ruling party, the Democratic Party will do what must be done and be evaluated by the people based on achievements. We will surely fulfill the hopes of the people who have awaited livelihood and reform legislation today."

Behind this batch processing is an analysis that the phenomenon of 'Jiptokki' (core supporter) defection among the support base influenced the decision. The Democratic Party's party support rating has recently been on a decline. In fact, the party support rate has even fallen below the 30% mark. According to a poll conducted by Realmeter commissioned by YTN from the 30th of last month to the 4th of this month, the Democratic Party's support rate in party support ratings recorded 29.7%, down 4.4 percentage points from the previous week. For detailed information, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.

Within the party, there is an analysis that the collapse of the 30% party support rate is due to the defection of the support base. A Democratic Party lawmaker said, "Below 35%, it should be seen as supporters leaving, not the moderate faction. Since the ruling party's reform bills, including the PCC Act, have been delayed, there is a possibility that supporters have defected out of disappointment," adding, "We must complete legislation such as the establishment of the PCC as soon as possible within this year."

The reform of power institutions, including the establishment of the PCC, was also President Moon Jae-in's number one pledge. However, the launch has been continuously delayed due to the repeated failure of the PCC Chief Recommendation Committee to recommend candidates, and the conflict between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl extended to the National Assembly. This situation could give supporters the impression that "despite having a large number of seats, reform is sluggish."

Additionally, the Democratic Party faces important political events such as the 2022 presidential election and the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections in April next year. Especially since the by-elections next year are called a prelude to the presidential election, rallying the support base to regain lost votes is essential.

However, the criticism from some quarters of 'legislative dictatorship' due to the passage of bills solely by the Democratic Party amid opposition party's protest and walkout remains a challenge to overcome. In particular, opposition party resistance to the PCC and the Fair Economy 3 Acts is fierce. The People Power Party has announced unlimited debate (filibuster) at today's plenary session. However, if the session ends, the debate also ends, and the National Assembly must vote on the bills without delay. With only one day left in the regular session, even if the opposition uses the unlimited debate card, it means that on the following day, the 10th, the debate can be concluded and the bills passed.

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