People Power Party to Resume Normal Operations of US Investment Special Committee... "Plenary Session Vote on the 12th"

Political Reform Special Committee to Continue Normal Operations

On March 4, despite the ongoing intense standoff between the People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea over the passage of the three judicial reform bills (Judicial Appeal Act, Crime of Judicial Distortion Act, and Supreme Court Justice Expansion Act) as well as the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Administrative Integration Special Act, the People Power Party decided to continue normal operations of the Special Committee on US Investment Special Law (US Investment Special Committee) and the Special Committee on Political Reform (Political Reform Special Committee).

Jang Donghyuk, Leader of the People Power Party, delivers a departure speech at the send-off ceremony of the "National Campaign to Appeal for the Protection of Judicial Independence and the Constitution," held on the steps in front of the National Assembly Main Building on March 3, 2026. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Yoo Sangbum, the People Power Party’s Chief Deputy Floor Leader, told reporters at the National Assembly that morning, “From the perspective of eliminating national uncertainties, especially regarding the US tariff agreement, we have decided to proceed with the committees in a broad-minded and normal manner.” He also said regarding the Political Reform Special Committee, “Since the issue of electoral district delimitation is a critical matter, we have decided to operate the committee as usual.”

Chief Deputy Floor Leader Yoo added, “In the case of the US Investment Special Committee, due to the current war between the United States and Iran, the international situation is unstable, and given the US’s attitude, there are significant concerns among Korean companies about the potential for trade retaliation if the special law we promised is delayed.” He went on, “We will operate the US Investment Special Committee normally and, as scheduled, complete the decisions on the necessary bills by the 9th, with the aim of handling them at the plenary session on the 12th.”

He continued, “Some may worry that we appear to be unilaterally conceding while the Democratic Party is being obstinate, but ultimately, we believe it is inappropriate for the opposition party to ignore a national crisis.” He explained, “Since the US-Iran war, the KOSPI index has dropped by 600 to 700 points and the exchange rate has risen above 1,500 won, so Korea is experiencing the effects of global instability more acutely than other countries. There is a consensus that this instability must be resolved swiftly.”

Regarding the Democratic Party’s insistence on linking the TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk) Integration Special Act with the Daejeon-Chungnam Integration Special Act, he said, “It appears that their real intention is to only pass the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integration Act to provide benefits there.” He added, “From the outset, they had no intention of passing the TK Integration Act, and we see this as a clear indication. This is unacceptable.”

Meanwhile, the People Power Party plans to continue with various follow-up measures, including protests outside the Assembly, regarding the passage of the three judicial reform bills. Chief Deputy Floor Leader Yoo acknowledged criticisms that the previous day’s protest march failed to achieve its intended impact due to the participation of far-right groups. He said, “The march was meant to urge the exercise of a veto against the three bills that would undermine the judiciary, but as people advocating for ‘Yoon Again’ joined in, the message became diluted, which is indeed regrettable.” He added, “Although it was a desperate attempt to convey how profoundly these three bills could affect the future of Korea, it is unfortunate that the message was not effectively delivered.”

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