People Power Party's Struggle Against Ruling Party: Dilemma of Numerical Inferiority and COVID-19

Many Obstacles in Both Intra- and Extra-Parliamentary Struggles
Cards Like Confirmation Hearing Public Opinion Battle
Kim Taeheum's Call for 'Mass Resignation of Lawmakers'

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The People Power Party's strategy for opposition struggle has fallen into a dilemma. While in-parliament struggle is the basic policy, there is no way to overcome the numerical disadvantage. Hardline approaches such as outdoor protests are also being considered, but they are restricted due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). For now, they have no choice but to rely on public opinion battles through parliamentary confirmation hearings.

Choi Hyung-doo, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 17th regarding the opposition struggle method, "Isn't it that outdoor rallies cannot be held because of the COVID-19 situation?" adding, "We will fully utilize the parliamentary podium." He also said, "The Emergency Situation Coalition is just the beginning. We will seek solutions to overcome this crisis by talking with various civic groups and religious organizations."

On the 10th, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, attended a joint meeting of conservative parties and social organizations and launched the 'Emergency Situation Coalition for Ending Tyranny and Achieving Democracy.' The Emergency Situation Coalition operates under a co-representative system composed of Floor Leader Joo, former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo, Lee Jae-oh, executive chairman of the National Integration Coalition, and former Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo. They agreed to unite in solidarity for early regime resignation while seeking an 'anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in) coalition' through the Emergency Situation Coalition.

However, the Emergency Situation Coalition is also deeply concerned about the methods of struggle. Although they continue weekly representative meetings, there is no sharp strategy other than outdoor protests. There is strong concern that if outdoor rallies are held, they could be blamed as the main cause of COVID-19 spread, as was the case with the August 15 rally. A representative of the Emergency Situation Coalition said in a phone call, "If we hold rallies outside the COVID-19 quarantine system, we will be heavily criticized, so we are also troubled."

In this situation, voices calling for 'mass resignation of lawmakers' have even emerged. Kim Tae-heum, a People Power Party lawmaker, stated on Facebook the day before, "If the filibuster (legal obstruction of parliamentary proceedings through unlimited debate) ends and we just stand by amid the violation of the constitution and destruction of the rule of law, it means abandoning the opposition's duty," adding, "The party leadership must devise ways to fight using all means to protect the rule of law in the Republic of Korea." He continued, "If outdoor rallies are difficult, we must fight together with the people through various struggles such as online rallies," emphasizing, "It is time to strongly confront the ruthless Moon Jae-in administration's destruction of democracy with the resolve of life-or-death by mass resignation of lawmakers."

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