"Unprecedented Economic Crisis Approaching... January Interim Session, As Expected, 'Idle'"

Controversy Over 'Lee Jae-myung Bulletproof National Assembly'
Ruling and Opposition Parties Fail to Agree Even on National Assembly Schedule

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The January extraordinary session of the National Assembly, convened solely by the Democratic Party of Korea, continues to stall. The session, which began on the 9th, was called by the Democratic Party citing the need to pass "livelihood legislation," while the People Power Party opposed it, calling it a "shield for Lee Jae-myung," and the two parties have failed to agree even on the schedule, causing difficulties from the outset.

As global concerns about an unprecedented economic recession spread, with U.S. investment bank Morgan Stanley warning that the U.S. economy is heading into a recession and the S&P 500 index is expected to plunge 22% this year, domestic companies' earnings are also declining amid the downturn. However, the National Assembly, which should support the people's livelihood through legislation, remains trapped in political strife.

According to political circles on the 10th, if the ruling and opposition parties fail to agree on the schedule for the plenary session of the National Assembly by that day, the responsibility will likely fall to Speaker Kim Jin-pyo. Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the morning party strategy meeting, "If the People Power Party refuses the ruling party's responsibilities by today, I earnestly request the Speaker's decision," adding, "I hope the plenary session will be convened by tomorrow to proceed with the voting process for urgent current affairs questions."

"Livelihood Collapse" vs "Shield for Lee Jae-myung"

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The Democratic Party lists five reasons for convening the January extraordinary session. First, regarding the Itaewon disaster state audit, they insist on adopting the final report in the plenary session and activating a special subcommittee for recurrence prevention measures. The Itaewon state audit was originally scheduled to conclude its 45-day activity on January 7, but the ruling and opposition parties agreed to extend it by 10 days, continuing until the 17th of this month. Remaining tasks include the timing of witness requests for the third hearing, which had significant disagreements between the parties, holding a public hearing for recurrence prevention measures, and adopting the final report. The Democratic Party insists these should be discussed in the January extraordinary session, but the People Power Party argues they can proceed regardless.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, explained on KBS Radio that day, "Regarding the state audit, there is a public hearing today (the 10th), and it will proceed. It has been extended until the 17th and can proceed independently of the convening of the extraordinary session."

The "North Korean drone incident" is also one of the reasons for convening the January extraordinary session. The Democratic Party argues that urgent current affairs questions should be used to clarify the government's responsibility and the facts of the incident. However, the People Power Party opposed this, acknowledging that the military's response was inadequate but deeming urgent current affairs questions inappropriate. Floor leader Joo criticized, "Military operation details and weapon defense systems would be fully disclosed," adding, "We cannot hold such urgent current affairs questions that reveal everything to North Korea. The claim that the extraordinary session is needed for urgent questions due to the drone incident is unfounded."

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Processing "livelihood legislation," mainly focusing on sunset laws, is also a core reason for convening the January extraordinary session. In the December extraordinary session, the ruling and opposition parties failed to narrow their differences on major legislative issues and ended the session. Representative examples include the safe freight rate system for cargo trucks and the eight-hour additional extended work system for companies with fewer than 30 employees. These laws expired without alternatives, causing confusion at the field level even after the new year.

Floor leader Park said, "There are many pressing livelihood legislations, including sunset laws," and raised his voice, "There are dozens of bills pending approval in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee that could be brought to the plenary session once approved. Why does the ruling party want to close the National Assembly?" In response, floor leader Joo told reporters that day, "There has been no narrowing of differences with the opposition regarding sunset laws," adding, "There is severe confusion at the field level about the expiration of the extended work system, and there is a demand for prompt extension, which we are also continuously requesting."

Additionally, the Democratic Party lists urgent current affairs questions targeting the government regarding the complex economic crisis and the adoption of a resolution condemning North Korea as tasks to be addressed in the January extraordinary session.

Lee Jae-myung's Prosecutor Appearance "Opposition Suppression"... Political Deadlock

The People Power Party is not opposed to holding the extraordinary session itself to process bills, but they remain skeptical of the Democratic Party's haste in starting the January session immediately after the December session ended (on the 8th), seeing an "intent" behind it.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the same day, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, appeared at the prosecution regarding the "Seongnam FC sponsorship fund suspicion" case. At the venue, Lee said, "I hope this will be recorded as a turning point in history proving the clear truth that history moves forward," adding, "I am well aware that this summons is a trap set by political prosecutors. However, I have neither sought privileges nor done wrong, and have no reason to avoid it, so I will face it confidently." He also harshly criticized, calling it a "judicial coup" that resurrects a case already investigated and dismissed years ago, fabricating nonexistent crimes, and described it as a "pre-decided indictment" and "fabricated investigation to eliminate political opponents."

Park Hong-geun, floor leader, along with some Democratic Party leadership including Supreme Council member Jung Cheong-rae, accompanied Lee on his way to the prosecution. The Democratic Party views Lee's summons as "opposition suppression" and has announced a response, suggesting that future conflicts between the ruling and opposition parties will reach a peak.

The People Power Party believes that the Democratic Party's main motive for convening the January extraordinary session is to "protect Lee Jae-myung," making it difficult to expect normal activities even if the session is held. Floor leader Joo criticized, "There are no urgent issues to be addressed before the Lunar New Year, and the National Assembly Act stipulates that the Assembly should not convene in January and July. So, we call it a 'shield National Assembly.' Even if there are laws that must be passed as the Democratic Party claims, the session can be held about a week later."

However, the Democratic Party countered that the argument of a "shield for Lee Jae-myung" is based on the assumption that an arrest warrant will be requested for the leader, and since the ruling party is not colluding with the prosecution, calling it a "shield National Assembly" is excessive. Thus, the ruling and opposition parties' views on the January extraordinary session remain on parallel tracks for the time being.

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