New Judiciary Committee Secretary Park Jumin... Ruling Party Says "Stop Nitpicking" Amid Opposition's Backlash

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Park Ju-min was elected as the ruling party whip of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee. On the afternoon of the 20th, at the resumed full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the Democratic Party of Korea unilaterally submitted and passed the motion to replace the ruling party whip. The People Power Party strongly opposed it, and the Democratic Party responded by asking them to stop nitpicking and cooperate in handling livelihood bills.

On that day, the full meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee was delayed as the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a tense standoff over the 'chairmanship.' It resumed around 12 PM, and the motion to replace the ruling party whip was submitted. The proposal to elect Park as whip was passed by a standing vote of Democratic Party members. Opposition committee members strongly protested, calling it "invalid."

The Legislation and Judiciary Committee experienced conflict between the ruling and opposition parties from the start of the meeting. Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, convened the committee at 10 AM and delegated the chairmanship to whip Baek Hye-ryun. Yoon, who previously served as the committee chair, had nominated Park Kwang-on as his successor, but the People Power Party opposed this, halting the National Assembly plenary session election procedure.

The Democratic Party argued that it was inappropriate for the floor leader to chair the committee and allowed the ruling party whip to act on behalf of the chair. Since Baek was elected as a Supreme Council member and handed over the whip position to Park, the full meeting held that day became a sharp confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties, as the People Power Party insisted that Yoon should chair the meeting ahead of the whip replacement motion.

People Power Party committee members criticized Yoon, saying, "(Regarding the delegation of chairmanship) Article 50 of the National Assembly Act states 'in case of accident of the chairperson.'" They added, "Here, 'accident' means being unable to perform duties, but he is claiming an accident while being inside the National Assembly." They further demanded a response from "Yoon Ho-jung, 'floor leader and acting chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee,'" and pointed out, "You cannot treat the chairpersonship like a necklace to be worn on the nose or ears as you please."

Democratic Party committee members rebutted, stating, "According to the National Assembly Act, the whip designated by the chairperson can act on behalf of the chairperson." They pointed out, "Even at the Legislation and Judiciary Committee meeting on April 29, whip Baek chaired as acting chairperson, and both ruling and opposition parties processed bills together. We deeply regret the opposition's behavior of blocking the livelihood National Assembly for political strife."

They added, "Today, 99 livelihood bills are waiting for review in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, and the hearing plan for the Prosecutor General's confirmation hearing must be adopted according to the Confirmation Hearing Act." They concluded, "Opposition committee members are causing a deadlock in the National Assembly through baseless nitpicking. We ask for cooperation in handling livelihood bills."

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