Escalating Conflict in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee... Ruling and Opposition Parties Delay Meeting Over 'Social Rights' Dispute

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] On the 20th, the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee's plenary session is being delayed due to a tug-of-war between the ruling and opposition parties over the 'chairing rights.'

Yoon Ho-jung, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, convened the Judiciary Committee at 10 a.m. that day and delegated the chairing rights to Baek Hye-ryun, the committee secretary.

Yoon, who previously served as the chairperson of the Judiciary Committee, had nominated Park Kwang-on as his successor, but the People Power Party's opposition has halted the National Assembly plenary session's election process. Accordingly, the People Power Party insists that Yoon Ho-jung should chair the Judiciary Committee's plenary session that day.

People Power Party Judiciary Committee members criticized Yoon Ho-jung, saying, "(Regarding the delegation of chairing rights) Article 50 of the National Assembly Act states 'in case of the chairperson's accident.'" They added, "Here, 'accident' means being unable to perform duties, but he is claiming an accident while being inside the National Assembly."

They continued, "We request a response from Yoon Ho-jung, the 'floor leader and acting chairperson of the Judiciary Committee,'" and pointed out, "Should the National Assembly Act and the chairpersonship of the Judiciary Committee be treated like a nose ring or an earring, worn whichever way suits?"

On the other hand, the Democratic Party argued that it is inappropriate for the floor leader to chair the Judiciary Committee and thus delegated the chairing rights to Baek, the ruling party's committee secretary, to act on behalf of the duties. Baek, having been elected as a Supreme Council member, handed over the secretary position to Park Ju-min.

At around 12 p.m. that day, the Judiciary Committee plenary session resumed and proceeded solely under Secretary Baek's leadership, during which the ruling party's committee secretary replacement was proposed and passed.

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