Democratic Party Rushes 검수완박 Law... Shaken by Park Byeong-seok and Yang Hyang-ja Variables

Yang Hyang-ja, a Dark Horse in the Agenda Coordination Committee
Attention Focused on Chairman Park's Proceedings

Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok has abruptly postponed his overseas trip schedule to the United States and Canada. With the National Assembly’s handling of the “Geomsu Wanbak (Complete Removal of Prosecutorial Investigation Rights)” bill and the issue of the Speaker’s presiding authority drawing intense attention, greater focus is expected on Speaker Park’s management of parliamentary proceedings. Yang Hyang-ja, an independent lawmaker who was expected to side with the Democratic Party in the Legislative and Judiciary Committee through a member resignation and replacement (sa-bo-im), is reportedly taking a cautious stance, posing an unexpected obstacle to the Democratic Party’s plan for forceful passage.

The Speaker’s office announced on the 20th regarding Park’s overseas visit plans, “The visit to the U.S. and Canada has been postponed,” adding, “We have requested understanding from the countries to be visited through diplomatic channels.”

In political circles, Speaker Park’s overseas trip schedule was a critical issue related to the passage of the Geomsu Wanbak bill. If Speaker Park departs on an overseas trip, the presiding authority transfers to the Deputy Speaker. In this case, the Democratic Party planned for Deputy Speaker Kim Sang-hee, a member of their party, to exercise the presiding authority, making it easier to pass the bill. Since the People Power Party has announced a filibuster to block the Geomsu Wanbak bill, the Democratic Party’s 172 seats fall short of the 180 seats needed to end the filibuster, making it necessary to split the session through the Speaker’s presiding authority. However, with Speaker Park, who had previously refused to put the Press Arbitration Act on the agenda emphasizing bipartisan agreement, postponing his trip, the Democratic Party’s plan to pass the Geomsu Wanbak bill before the inauguration of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration faces a significant turning point. If Speaker Park, citing parliamentary principles, does not agree to the Democratic Party’s plan to split the session, passing the Geomsu Wanbak bill within the current government will become difficult.

Yang Hyang-ja, Independent Member of Parliament

At the Legislative and Judiciary Committee’s agenda adjustment subcommittee, considered the first hurdle for the Geomsu Wanbak bill, the Democratic Party’s plan for swift action is at risk of falling apart. The Democratic Party sent lawmaker Yang, originally from their party, to the committee through resignation and replacement, changing the agenda adjustment subcommittee from an even 3-3 split between ruling and opposition parties to a 4-2 majority. However, Yang reportedly drafted a document expressing a cautious stance on the Geomsu Wanbak bill, differing from the Democratic Party’s official position. Democratic Party floor leader Park Hong-geun confirmed on CBS Radio, “It seems that lawmaker Yang wrote that document.” If Yang opposes the passage of the Geomsu Wanbak bill before President-elect Yoon’s inauguration, it will be difficult to clear the agenda adjustment subcommittee. In that case, the Democratic Party will need to replace Yang with another lawmaker again, which will also require Speaker Park’s assistance.

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