Pushing Forward by Ruling Party and Struggle Declaration by Opposition... Chaotic National Assembly Amid Overlapping Primary Battles

Media Arbitration Act Followed by Operating Room CCTV Act
Climate Crisis Act, Private School Act, National Assembly Act, etc.
Determination to Proceed Despite Opposition from Academia and Political Circles
People Power Party Declares Confrontation Against the Ruling Party

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Geum Bo-ryeong] The ruling party is rapidly freezing the political climate by pushing through a series of bills including the Media Arbitration Act, the Operating Room CCTV Act, the Climate Crisis Act, the Google Fair Trade Act, the Private School Act, and the National Assembly Act. The opposition party has ignited its previously quiet 'anti-government struggle' stance to block the ruling party's legislative spree. However, the Democratic Party of Korea remains consistent in its stance to proceed with unilateral passage, signaling a potential escalation in the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties.

On the morning of the 23rd, the National Assembly Steering Committee held a plenary session and passed the "National Assembly Act Amendment" which adjusts the functions of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Justice Party lawmaker Bae Jin-kyo expressed opposition, stating that it could provoke future conflicts over the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the appointment of its chairperson, but the original proposal passed the plenary session as is. Additionally, the Democratic Party plans to process the Operating Room CCTV Act at the Health and Welfare Committee's bill review subcommittee on the same day. Previously, standing committees had also forcibly passed the Climate Crisis Act, the Google Fair Trade Act, and amendments to the Private School Act.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The most controversial is the amendment to the Media Arbitration Act. The Democratic Party is expected to pass it through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee on the 24th and the plenary session on the 25th. On that day, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, urged the passage of the bill at the Supreme Council meeting, saying, "This law is solely to protect ordinary citizens and small business owners who suffer from fake news."

The People Power Party declared an anti-government struggle using this as a pretext. Floor leader Kim Ki-hyun plans to file a constitutional dispute petition with the Constitutional Court if the Media Arbitration Act amendment is promulgated. Opposition presidential candidates are also joining the struggle movement. Former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung visited Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, on the morning of the same day to deliver a proposal for a 'joint meeting between party leader and presidential pre-candidates.' The proposal suggests postponing the presidential pre-candidates' vision presentation scheduled for the 25th until after the anti-government struggle. In response, Ha Tae-kyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, expressed agreement on Facebook, saying, "If the vision presentation proceeds while the evil law is being rammed through, the public's harsh gaze will be directed at our party, not the Democratic Party." He added, "Let's all unite to block the hasty passage of the gag law on the media." Park Jin, a People Power Party lawmaker, sent a message urging joint action among presidential candidates, saying, "Let's meet immediately on the 25th." Former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong visited the site of a one-person protest in front of the National Assembly by the KBS union chairman protesting the Media Arbitration Act on the same morning, stating, "I will dedicate everything to join the struggle alongside the people." Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, has also been voicing strong criticism regarding the Media Arbitration Act. At the Supreme Council meeting that day, he pointed out, "This will become a 'Media Crime Act' that destroys democracy and freedom of the press."

Despite opposition from academia and political circles, the Democratic Party's determination to pass the Media Arbitration Act appears firm. The Sejong National Assembly Branch Act is also expected to be processed by the ruling party alone in the August session. Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party, sarcastically addressed the People Power Party, which intends to initiate legislation for establishing a branch office of the National Assembly in Sejong City, saying, "I hope this is not another time-wasting plan that has been frequently used," and requested, "Please cooperate magnanimously with the bill passage at this week's plenary session." Among the contentious bills, the only one to pass the standing committee with bipartisan agreement is the amendment to the Comprehensive Real Estate Tax Act. The amendment, which sets the deduction threshold for taxation at 1.1 billion won, is expected to pass smoothly at the plenary session on the 25th.

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