Legislative Judiciary Committee Deadlocked Over Social Rights Conflict... Ruling Party Unilaterally Elects Secretary

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] The National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee was disrupted on the 20th following conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties over the 'chairmanship.'

The Democratic Party of Korea held a full committee meeting in the afternoon without the participation of the People Power Party and unilaterally processed 99 bills.

Members of the People Power Party protested, saying, "Did the public feel more comfortable after the Legislation and Judiciary Committee was unilaterally forced through like this? Did the real estate market improve after the forced passage of the three lease laws?" and then left the meeting.

The opposition's protest began when the Democratic Party unilaterally approved the appointment of Park Ju-min, a re-elected Democratic Party member, as the committee secretary before processing bills in the morning full meeting. Democratic Party member Baek Hye-ryun, delegated the chairmanship by Democratic Party floor leader Yoon Ho-jung, pushed through a 'standing vote' despite the opposition from the People Power Party.

The appointment of the secretary that day was due to Baek being elected as a Supreme Council member after serving as the ruling party's secretary, but People Power Party members protested Baek's conduct of the meeting as a violation of the National Assembly Act and refused to cooperate. The People Power Party insisted that floor leader Yoon, who legally still holds the position of Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairman, should conduct the meeting.

After a tense standoff, the Democratic Party resumed the full meeting around 5 p.m., defying the opposition, and began processing bills under the chairmanship of Park Ju-min. People Power Party committee members surrounded the chairman's seat to protest the unilateral continuation of the meeting but left as the bill review proceeded.

On the same day, the ruling and opposition parties also continued their tense standoff over the adoption of witnesses and reference persons for the confirmation hearing of Kim Oh-soo, the nominee for Prosecutor General.

Park conveyed to the People Power Party side that some reference persons could be adopted. However, Kim Do-eup, the People Power Party secretary, said, "It’s as if they are doing a favor by conceding one or two reference persons, telling us to accept it if we want," adding, "This clearly reveals their intention to push through Kim’s confirmation hearing at all costs."

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