Helpless Opposition, Will They Fight Conservative Groups? Kim Jong-in Says "Struggle by Pan-Opposition Groups Is Impossible"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] The opposition party, which tried to block the amendment to the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HCIO) Act through a filibuster (legal obstruction of parliamentary proceedings), found itself helpless and has launched a hardline struggle together with the conservative civil society. On the 10th, they also planned to block the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act by filibuster, but it is insufficient. Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in raised his voice to President Moon, urging him to resolve the chaos through a 'Second June 29 Declaration.'

Chairman Kim said at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "The more President Moon focuses on regime security solely for his own safety after retirement and takes reckless measures, the faster public discontent will deepen," and added, "Please resolve the chaotic political situation through a Second June 29 Declaration." In particular, Chairman Kim criticized, "If the ruling power seems to exercise unchecked state power, there are even agitated voices calling for the closure of the National Assembly and the declaration of martial law. This is a grave situation," and said, "This political situation is similar to Germany under Hitler."

The day before, the People Power Party delayed time until the end of the regular National Assembly session by having Representative Kim Ki-hyun take the filibuster lead, but the Democratic Party of Korea submitted the HCIO Act amendment to the plenary session of the extraordinary National Assembly, effectively delaying the passage by only one day. They are expected to counter the submission of the National Intelligence Service Act amendment with a filibuster as well, but there are concerns about its limitations. In response, Chairman Kim tightened his offensive toward the president by demanding President Moon's 'magnanimous decision.'

The People Power Party is seeking another way out by participating in a pan-conservative coalition. At the 'Joint Meeting of Party and Civil Society Representatives to End the Moon Jae-in Regime's Tyranny' held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, that morning, pan-conservative figures including the People Power Party, the People Party, former Representative Lee Jae-oh, former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo, former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo, and Pen & Mike CEO Jung Kyu-jae gathered in one place, raising their voices to "join forces in the struggle to end the Moon Jae-in regime."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Joint Meeting of Civic Groups plans to decide on an organization that unites the pan-conservative camp to fight against the regime. Candidate names for the struggle organization include ▲Emergency National Coalition to End Tyranny and Achieve Democracy ▲People's Coalition for the Struggle to Resign Moon Jae-in ▲People's Union for the Early Resignation of the Moon Jae-in Regime. If a struggle organization involving the so-called 'Taegukgi faction' is approved, the possibility of street protests will naturally increase.

However, Chairman Kim drew a line on participating in a struggle organization that includes street protests and pan-conservatives. This is because most of the figures attending the joint meeting are perceived as a gathering of 'old boys' from the past Saenuri Party era. Chairman Kim said, "We cannot fight with the concept of a pan-opposition coalition like in the past," and regarding the possibility of street protests, he said, "The party has its own duties, and the civic groups outside have their own duties." When asked about the limitations of the filibuster, he replied, "What kind of struggle method to use after the filibuster is over should be discussed after it ends."

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