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Jinpyo Kim, Speaker of the National Assembly.

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Yunjin Kim] The proposal by National Assembly Speaker Jinpyo Kim to operate a senior bipartisan consultative body has become a hot topic in the political sphere. While there is hope that it will open the way for bipartisan cooperation, opposition has also arisen, particularly from pro-Lee Jae-myung faction lawmakers, who argue that it undermines party democracy.

On the 19th, during a dinner with President Yoon Seok-yeol and the second-half National Assembly leadership, Speaker Kim proposed the senior bipartisan consultative body as a way to overcome the minority ruling party situation and strengthen cooperation. On the 21st, at a press conference held at the National Assembly, Speaker Kim pointed out problems in Korean politics that foster confrontation, such as fandom politics, emphasizing, "If the senior bipartisan consultative body deliberates, mediates conflicts, and presents recommendations, it will greatly help resolve current issues."

Attempts to gather opinions from senior lawmakers of both parties to activate policy discussions have been made before. In 2014, then-Speaker Jung Eui-hwa established the 'Regulations on the Formation and Operation of the National Assembly Senior Consultative Council' to mediate and present opinions on major issues, but it was not implemented. During the 20th National Assembly, then-Speaker Moon Hee-sang held regular meetings called 'Igeumhoe' with senior lawmakers with five or more terms to hear their voices on current issues.

Speaker Kim explained, "Since the regulations are already in place, it just needs to be formed and operated. Normal National Assembly operations are conducted through negotiations between the floor leaders of both parties, but when a major issue causes prolonged drifting of the Assembly's operation and risks reverting to a 'zoo Assembly,' the senior consultative body will function." It is known that Speaker Kim is considering officially proposing the consultative body composed of senior lawmakers with five or more terms, currently evenly split between the ruling and opposition parties, around the September regular session.

Ruling party lawmakers generally responded positively, saying the senior bipartisan consultative body plan would aid cooperation. On the 21st, Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, wrote on his Facebook, "We cannot just watch some politicians distort political decision-making processes through fandom for their own politics," arguing that the consultative body is necessary for stable discussions. On the 22nd, Ha Tae-kyung also expressed support on Facebook, stating, "Through the senior consultative body, the ruling and opposition parties can communicate and find solutions to issues they cannot resolve while watching their support bases."

However, some opposition lawmakers classified as pro-Lee opposed the senior bipartisan consultative body, arguing it could harm party democracy. On the 22nd, Yang Yi-won-young, a Democratic Party lawmaker, wrote on Facebook, "First-term, second-term, and multiple-term lawmakers are all equal constitutional institutions representing the people. Representation does not vary by the number of terms," criticizing, "The 'backwardness' of Korean politics comes not from fandom but from a small number of closed-door politics." On the same day, Park Chan-dae criticized on Facebook, "It does not align with the principle of responsible party politics. The senior consultative body should not exercise authority without responsibility."

The pro-Lee faction's opposition also stems from concerns that if the senior bipartisan consultative body gains influence, the voice of the next Lee Jae-myung leadership will weaken. On the 22nd, independent lawmaker Min Hyung-bae wrote on Facebook, "If the senior consultative body is activated, the influence of the Democratic Party leadership will inevitably decrease. More precisely, the influence of the newly established 'Lee Jae-myung leadership' will diminish," fiercely criticizing, "Ultimately, this only benefits the People Power Party and Yoon Seok-yeol."

There is also an assessment that even if the senior bipartisan consultative body is operated, it will be difficult to legalize its operation basis separately from the current National Assembly regulations. On the 21st, Democratic Party lawmaker Sang-min Lee, with five or more terms, announced plans to propose a bill to establish the consultative body. However, regarding a similar National Assembly Act amendment bill proposed by People Power Party lawmaker Jo Myung-hee in 2020, the National Assembly Steering Committee at the time evaluated that the distinction from the National Assembly regulations was not clear. Relatedly, on the 22nd, Democratic Party lawmaker Kyung-tae Jang expressed a critical stance, saying, "Raising it to law unnecessarily could be seen as a means to strengthen the influence of senior lawmakers."

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