'Geomsu Wanbak' Confrontation Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Makes Confirmation Hearings and Local Elections Clash Inevitable

Democratic Party to finalize 검수완박 on the 3rd
Strong confrontation likely to make resolution difficult

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the final deadline for the passage of the amendment for the adjustment of prosecutorial investigation authority approaches on the 3rd, tensions within the National Assembly are intensifying. With the confirmation hearings starting in earnest this week and the local elections scheduled for the 1st of next month, the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is expected to reach its peak over the next month.

The Democratic Party of Korea passed the amendment to the Prosecutors' Office Act at the plenary session on the 30th of last month and subsequently submitted the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act. The People Power Party fiercely protested against the Democratic Party and Speaker Park Byeong-seok, resulting in chaos in the plenary hall.

As the Democratic Party attempted to split the session to unilaterally end the filibuster initiated by the People Power Party, the extraordinary session was automatically terminated, and the plenary session will be held again three days later. Therefore, the clash between the Democratic Party, which aims to finalize the 'complete removal of prosecution investigation authority' legislation by passing the Criminal Procedure Act amendment on the 3rd, and the People Power Party, which criticizes the 'legislative unilateralism' and is making an all-out effort to block it, is inevitable once again.

There is currently no opportunity to ease the heightened tension between the ruling and opposition parties. The atmosphere, which has escalated into a strong confrontation, will inevitably lead to confirmation hearings and local elections. Between the 2nd and 6th, confirmation hearings for 16 cabinet nominees (out of a total of 19), including Prime Minister nominee Han Duck-soo, who was postponed once due to a boycott, will be held consecutively. The Democratic Party is preparing to scrutinize candidates such as Han Dong-hoon, Minister of Justice nominee, and Jeong Ho-young, Minister of Health and Welfare nominee, while the People Power Party is countering with a 'stalling' frame, claiming that unverified suspicions are being used to stigmatize them.

The confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is also inevitable in the local elections, which are only a month away. The People Power Party is determined to regain local power as a cornerstone for the success of the new government. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is strongly opposed to relinquishing the local power it swept in 2018, as it aims to avenge its defeat in the presidential election.

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