Democratic Party After 'Wijaeng Taldang': Min Hyung-bae's Reinstatement and the Tag of Reflection

Min Hyung-bae Rejoins Party After One Year
"Ashamed" Mixed Views Within Party
Calls for Reform Continue After Presidential Election

Last year, Min Hyung-bae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who had carried out a 'disguised withdrawal' to pass the 'Prosecution Investigation and Prosecution Rights Separation Bill (Amendments to the Prosecutors' Office Act and the Criminal Procedure Act, also known as the "Complete Removal of Prosecution Investigation Rights Act")', has rejoined the Democratic Party after one year. His withdrawal was part of the party's strategy to pass the bill through the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's agenda adjustment subcommittee, but it has faced strong criticism from the political circles for effectively nullifying the system itself. With just over a year left until the general election, the question remains whether Min's return will be a gain or a loss for the Democratic Party.

Why did Min Hyung-bae withdraw?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Complete Removal of Prosecution Investigation Rights (검수완박, Geomsu Wanbak) was the ultimate goal of the prosecution reform pursued by the Moon Jae-in administration and the Democratic Party. To pass this, Min Hyung-bae voluntarily left the Democratic Party and participated as an independent member in the agenda adjustment subcommittee (안조위) instead of Yang Hyang-ja, an independent lawmaker who opposed the bill. To guarantee additional discussions between the ruling and opposition parties on contentious bills, the subcommittee was composed equally with three members from the majority party (Democratic Party) and three from the minority parties. Min's 'disguised withdrawal' effectively paralyzed the subcommittee.

Min's urgent decision to withdraw appears to have been because it was the last opportunity for the Democratic Party, during the regime transition period, to push policies as the ruling party. Within the Democratic Party, there was impatience over not having completed prosecution reforms except for establishing the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials during the Moon administration. Moreover, there was significant concern that once President Yoon Seok-youl, a former prosecutor, took office, the presidential veto power could block further prosecution reform discussions. Min, a member of the Cheoreomhoe faction who was a leading proponent of prosecution reform and a representative sponsor of the related bill, made a kind of 'resolution' in this context.

The problem was that it was not easy for the Democratic Party to immediately reinstate Min. The procedural loophole of the so-called 'disguised withdrawal' could not be denied. There were also concerns about the impact on the ongoing constitutional review. In fact, the Constitutional Court had already pointed out procedural unconstitutionality in its March ruling, stating that "the adjustment plan was passed without substantial mediation review, and no opportunity for debate was provided in the full Judiciary Committee meeting."

As a result, Min had to live nominally 'outside the party' for the past year. Eventually, Park Hong-geun, the former floor leader who was finishing his term, expressed understanding by saying, "Min's withdrawal was an unavoidable, principled decision to participate in legislation according to his conscience," and personally announced his reinstatement. After rejoining, Min expressed feelings of unfairness, saying he felt like a "political victim of bullying."

Why did the Democratic Party decide to reinstate him?

Nonetheless, the decision to allow Min's return is analyzed as a result of weighing political gains and losses. Despite criticism, reinstating Min to complete prosecution reform is seen as more beneficial for voter sentiment ahead of next year's general election. Since Min is considered one of the leading figures of the pro-Moon faction, it is also interpreted that the party sought to accommodate the demands of its strong supporters.

In fact, the Democratic Party has recently adopted a strategy closer to a hardline stance rather than a cautious one with just over a year left before the election. This is evident from the choice under former floor leader Park Hong-geun's leadership to push through livelihood bills despite criticism of 'majority party tyranny.' Regarding this, Professor Park Sang-byeong of Inha University Graduate School of Policy said, "From the Democratic Party's perspective, this aligns with the thoughts of its supporters," adding, "It meets the demand to show strength as the party holding the majority in the National Assembly."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There is also a personal aspect to Park's urgency in reinstating Min to take responsibility within his term. Since he pushed for the passage of the Complete Removal of Prosecution Investigation Rights Act, it is interpreted that the former leadership should bear responsibility. Park, while expressing regret over procedural issues raised by the Constitutional Court, also humbly accepted them when announcing Min's reinstatement. The decision to approve the 'special reinstatement' format seems intended to conclude the matter as the party's responsibility rather than an individual's.

"Embarrassing" vs. "Party Responsibility"

After reinstatement, evaluations within the party were divided. Lee Sang-min, a non-mainstream member, criticized on Facebook on the 26th of last month, saying, "It feels like being smeared with filthy mud after being battered by the money envelope scandal." Lee Won-wook also said, "The Democratic Party is embarrassed," urging, "Even the Democratic Party should act with common sense in politics."

On the other hand, some pro-Moon faction members defended Min, saying the party should take responsibility. Lee Jae-jung, a member of the Cheoreomhoe faction, said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "(Min's reinstatement) was late. The leadership should have made a decision earlier," and argued, "It is right for the party, not Min Hyung-bae as an individual who made a difficult political decision, to take responsibility." Ahn Min-seok also said on YTN Radio's 'News King with Park Ji-hoon,' "Apologies are not important; what matters is that the Democratic Party has regained one of its most combative lawmakers."

The Democratic Party's 'Reflection' Label

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Through this series of controversies, the Democratic Party remains unable to escape the 'responsibility debate.' Since the last presidential election, as it became the target of regime change discourse, voices calling for party reform based on sincere reflection and responsibility have continued. Additionally, controversies have persisted over the party's aggressive push of party-line bills such as the Complete Removal of Prosecution Investigation Rights Act and the Grain Management Act, as well as the recent 'money envelope allegations.' Park Kwang-on, the newly elected floor leader of the Democratic Party as of the 28th of last month, has announced plans for an internal 'reform caucus meeting' regarding the money envelope allegations. During the primary, Park promised, "The public is angry and despairing at the regime, but also disappointed in the Democratic Party. This is the real crisis," adding, "We must reform and unify to regain the people's trust. If elected, I will hold a reform caucus meeting and work overnight to prepare reform measures to report to the public."

Going forward, the Democratic Party is likely to continue carrying the label of 'reflection.' Moreover, until the general election, there is a possibility that the party will attempt to gain political advantage over the ruling party by using procedural shortcuts such as nullifying the agenda adjustment subcommittee to pass bills through direct referral to the National Assembly or to leverage the power of a minority ruling party.

Concerns continue to be voiced in political circles. Lee Kwang-jae, Secretary-General of the Manifesto Practice Headquarters, said, "What makes voters trust the legislature are actions based on principles and laws," and diagnosed, "What politics needs now is 'nevertheless' rather than 'it can't be helped.'" He added, "Politics is not only about serving supporters but also about thinking for the improvement of the lives of all citizens," and warned, "Voters' sharp reprimands come once every four years."

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