Song Young-gil: "Media Arbitration Act, Will Fully Gather Opinions"

Possibility of Postponement to September National Assembly Indicated
Hardliners Within the Party Still Vocal
Attention on Today's Afternoon Party Meeting Decision

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Lee Hyun-joo] Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 30th regarding the amendment to the Press Arbitration Act, "We will never act unilaterally. We will fully gather opinions," making it highly likely that the bill's submission to the plenary session will be postponed to the September National Assembly. Initially, the Democratic Party planned to handle it at the plenary session on the 30th. However, voices urging to complete the reform, mainly from hardliners within the party, remain strong, putting the decision at the Democratic Party's caucus meeting that afternoon in the spotlight.

Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

At the morning Supreme Council meeting, Leader Song said, "We will fully gather opinions," adding, "We are collecting opinions at today's caucus, and we are also meeting with the Minbyun (Korean Lawyers for Public Interest and Human Rights) and press organizations. I will explain in detail on tonight's '100-Minute Debate'." Floor leader Yoon Ho-jung also said, "The Press Arbitration Act is scheduled to be submitted to today's plenary session," and "The opposition party must also participate in press reform and relief for citizens harmed by fake news." However, after the meeting, senior spokesperson Ko Yong-jin told reporters, "The leadership's original position is to submit the bill," but "We will listen to more opinions at the caucus and make a final decision," showing some retreat.

The Democratic Party will gather internal opinions at the caucus meeting at 3 p.m. that day. Then, at 5 p.m., just before the plenary session, the floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties will meet to make the final decision on whether to submit the Press Arbitration Act. However, since Leader Song mentioned "sufficient opinion gathering" that day, it is expected that the submission timing will be postponed to September. A source from the People Power Party said, "I heard that the Press Arbitration Act will not be submitted to today's plenary session, and only the other bills will be submitted," adding, "It could change depending on the Democratic Party caucus results, but it seems it will be postponed to September for now."

This shift in the Democratic Party's stance appears related to the Blue House feeling burdened by the ruling party's push amid increasing pressure from the president to exercise a veto. If President Moon Jae-in does not exercise the veto and approves the bill, the 'unilateral rule frame' raised by the opposition party, press, and civic groups could become an obstacle to governance in the final term. On the other hand, exercising the veto would mean enduring the worst ruling party-Blue House relations. Park Soo-hyun, Blue House Senior Secretary for Public Communication, said in a broadcast interview on the 27th, "The National Assembly is a hall of public opinion where voices for and against blend like a melting pot, producing the second-best choice if not the best," which is interpreted as a message to the ruling party to make maximum gestures to negotiate with the opposition.

Meanwhile, the opposition party has launched an all-out battle to block the Press Arbitration Act. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, criticized at the Supreme Council meeting, "The ruling party forcing through a bad press law to hide their own flaws is a textbook case of conflict of interest. It must be stopped immediately." Floor leader Kim Ki-hyun also attended the 'National Filibuster Struggle to Abolish the Press Dictatorship Act,' saying, "The ruling party's stubbornness stems from a sinister desire to extend power and continue enjoying dictatorial power," adding, "This is something that would only work in North Korea or China." Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, also emphasized, "Even if the ruling party forcibly passes the Press Gag Law, the president should exercise the veto."

Photo provided by the Korea Newspaper Association.

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