Opposition Returns After Boycott... Clashes Loom Over Parliamentary Investigation and CIO

by Lim Chunhan

Published 06 Jul.2020 11:37(KST)

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending the emergency countermeasure committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 6th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy, Lee Jieun and Lim Chunhan] The United Future Party, which has returned to the National Assembly after breaking its boycott, is gearing up for a direct confrontation with the “supermajority ruling party” by demanding a parliamentary investigation and a special prosecutor. A fierce power struggle is also expected over the High-ranking Officials’ Crime Investigation Office (Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, CIO), which is legally required to be launched by July 15. However, due to their numerical disadvantage, the United Future Party is limited to waging a battle of public opinion.

Joo Hoyoung, floor leader of the United Future Party, said at the Emergency Countermeasure Committee (Emergency Committee) meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 6th, “For over a month, we have witnessed the runaway one-party dictatorship of the supermajority ruling party, but simply standing by is not the answer. We have decided to participate in the operation of the National Assembly starting this week.”

He continued, “The Democratic Party has repeatedly boasted that they can run the National Assembly alone without the consent or cooperation of the main opposition party, so we will not cooperate with such unilateral operation. However, regarding policies, budgets, and bills, we will rigorously scrutinize right and wrong and present alternatives.” Regarding the “Working National Assembly Act” promoted by the Democratic Party, he emphasized, “If you look at the content, the title may sound plausible, but in reality, it is a law that neutralizes the National Assembly and the opposition party. We will do our utmost to block it in the Steering Committee.”

Because they are vastly outnumbered, their strategy is to stimulate public opinion through policy debates. The United Future Party has put forward options such as a parliamentary investigation and a special prosecutor on issues that the ruling camp is sensitive about, including the cases involving Yoon Mihyang, Han Myeongsook, and alleged collusion between prosecutors and the media. Since the party cannot unilaterally push for a parliamentary investigation or a special prosecutor, they are trying to create an atmosphere in which the ruling party cannot refuse. After a meeting at the National Assembly on the 5th, Joo stated to reporters, “If the Democratic Party refuses a parliamentary investigation on every issue, we will brand their refusal as an attempt to cover up wrongdoing and illegality.” On the same day, Cho Kyungtae, a United Future Party lawmaker, appeared on KBS Radio’s “Kim Kyungrae’s Strongest Current Affairs” and pointed out, “In the case of Yoon Mihyang, there is no reason not to accept a parliamentary investigation or a special prosecutor.”

It remains uncertain whether the chairmanships of standing committees allotted to the opposition will be redistributed. The Democratic Party has stated, “If the United Future Party formally requests this after returning to the National Assembly, we are open to sufficient discussion.” However, the United Future Party maintains its stance that it is meaningless unless the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is returned, so the two sides remain at an impasse.

The most intense confrontation is expected over the launch of the CIO. The Democratic Party is accelerating efforts to launch the CIO ahead of the legal deadline of July 15. They are quickly forming the CIO chief candidate recommendation committee and beginning meetings to nominate members for the ruling party’s share. Meanwhile, the United Future Party argues that the CIO itself is unconstitutional and remains negative about selecting recommendation committee members for the opposition’s share.

Meanwhile, the People’s Party, which is working in policy alliance with the United Future Party, also joined in criticizing the government’s real estate policy on this day. Ahn Cheolsoo, leader of the People’s Party, said, “The Moon Jae-in administration is out of touch with the circumstances of average Koreans. Most people wish to own just one home in their lifetime or only have a single house to their name,” adding, “Please announce to the public when and how you will stabilize real estate prices.”