Minjoo Starts Legislative Domination... Is the 'Kim Geonhee Act' a Counterattack Card?

Democratic Party Holds Party Meeting on 8th to Discuss State Audit and More
Considers Party Stance on Dog Meat Ban Law
Raises Issues on Short Selling and Mega Seoul Details

The Democratic Party of Korea plans to forcibly pass the 'Yellow Envelope Act,' which expands the guarantee of collective actions by labor unions, and the Broadcasting Act, as well as the impeachment motion against Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairman Lee Dong-gwan, at the National Assembly plenary session scheduled for the 9th. The People Power Party intends to use unlimited debate (filibuster) to make an all-out effort to block these measures, making clashes between the ruling and opposition parties inevitable during the legislative process. While the ruling party has taken the lead on national issues through the 'Mega City' plan, including the incorporation of Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province into Seoul, and the ban on short selling, the Democratic Party has launched a counterattack by adopting the 'Kim Geon-hee Act,' which prohibits dog meat consumption, as a party resolution.

According to political circles on the 7th, the Democratic Party plans to hold a party meeting on the 8th to discuss a national investigation into the Osong underpass disaster and the death of a marine. Considering that the national audit and other matters have concluded, it is expected that the party will push forward with the national investigation after going through the party resolution process. Impeachment motions against cabinet members and others will also be pursued. Spokesperson Choi said, "The targets of impeachment have not been decided," adding, "It may not be just one person." Previously, the Democratic Party had reached a consensus on reviewing the impeachment of Chairman Lee at the Supreme Council meeting the day before. In addition to Chairman Lee, an impeachment motion against Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon may also be introduced. Earlier, the Democratic Party also announced plans to forcibly pass the Yellow Envelope Act and the three Broadcasting Acts on the 9th.

However, the Democratic Party has decided to push for the party resolution adoption of the dog meat consumption ban bill, known as the 'Kim Geon-hee Act.' Spokesperson Choi said, "There have been many requests regarding this bill," and "A party task force has been formed to discuss its passage." It is interpreted that the Democratic Party, which had fallen behind on several issues, is aiming to win the votes of pet-owning households and launch a counterattack.

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 7th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The People Power Party has stated its intention to make an all-out effort to block the ruling party's forcible passage of major contentious bills. Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting, "It has been less than a month since we promised to avoid political strife and show the public a trustworthy image of the ruling and opposition parties even in the last session of the 21st National Assembly, but the Democratic Party has not backed down from pushing for the forcible passage of the illegal strike-promoting law (Yellow Envelope Act) and the three Broadcasting Acts, raising concerns about political deadlock." Floor leader Yoon condemned, "No matter how you package the Democratic Party's forcible passage of contentious bills, it can only be called a parliamentary outrage because it pushes through bills that have a significant social impact and sharp disagreements with a majority of seats." Regarding the impeachment of the Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairman, he criticized, "It has been only 75 days since his appointment, and the ink on his appointment letter is not even dry yet," adding, "Is this withdrawal symptom caused by impeachment addiction?"

Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon also met with reporters before attending the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee budget review on the same day and said, "Among democratic parties worldwide, there is probably no party that habitually and repeatedly abuses impeachment as much as the Democratic Party," adding, "Impeachment is an extremely drastic system guaranteed by the constitution to protect democracy, and I want to say whether it is appropriate to talk about it as if it were a game." He added, "If that (impeachment) is just a level or imagination in the (Democratic Party's) mind, that may be possible, but if they intend to bring it out, responsible and sufficient consideration is necessary."

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