Opposition Pressures on 'Yeongsu Summit Agenda'... Will They Even Propose a 'Veto Bill'?

The Democratic Party of Korea is increasing pressure on the presidential office with agenda items that could cause concern ahead of their first summit meeting. They are prepared to bring to the table not only President Yoon Seok-yeol's public apology and acceptance of a special investigation into the 'Marine Corps member death case external pressure suspicion,' but also bills that had previously been vetoed.

The presidential office and the Democratic Party will hold a second negotiation on the summit meeting on the 25th. Both the time and location are undisclosed. During the first working-level meeting held on the 23rd, no significant agreement was reached beyond the broad topics of 'livelihood issues' and 'national affairs.' The Democratic Party plans to continue demanding President Yoon's apology and acceptance of a special investigation related to the Marine Corps member death case. In particular, the 'nationwide livelihood recovery support fund' proposed by Representative Lee Jae-myung during the general election campaign is also listed as a top priority agenda. They are requesting the preparation of an additional supplementary budget of 13 trillion won to provide 250,000 won per person.

President Yoon Suk-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea

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Some within the ruling party speculated that the Democratic Party might make revised proposals such as lowering the amount, but the Democratic Party's stance remains firm. A Democratic Party official stated, "If President Yoon Seok-yeol truly cares about livelihoods and is determined to change the national policy direction, accepting the livelihood recovery support fund proposal would be the first milestone. There is no reason for our party to lower or adjust the amount first," drawing a clear line.

Amid expected difficulties in agenda negotiations, the Democratic Party is intensifying pressure through 'legislative push.' On the 18th, they forcibly referred the Grain Management Act, which was the first bill vetoed by President Yoon, directly to the plenary session. They also pushed the Franchise Business Act and the Democratic Meritorious Service Act, which the government and ruling party opposed, through sheer numbers to be submitted as agenda items for the plenary session. They plan to ensure these are processed within the 21st National Assembly session through the May extraordinary session. The People Power Party criticizes this as 'legislative rampage,' but the Democratic Party intends to persuade the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene an extraordinary session if the ruling party does not cooperate.

There are also expectations that bills previously discarded due to vetoes will be added to the summit meeting agenda. The 'Broadcasting Three Acts (Broadcasting Act, Broadcasting Culture Promotion Act, Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act amendments)' are representative examples. The Democratic Party announced the day before that, together with seven opposition parties including the Innovation Party of Justice and the Reform New Party, they will push for re-legislation of the 'Broadcasting Three Acts' in the 22nd National Assembly. Leading a coalition of 192 opposition seats, the burden on the presidential office is inevitably increasing.

On the afternoon of the 19th, Cho Kuk, leader of the National Innovation Party; Lee Jun-seok, leader of the Reform New Party; Jeon Jae-su and Park Ju-min, members of the Democratic Party of Korea; Kim Jong-min, member of the New Future Party; Kang Sung-hee, member of the Progressive Party; and Jang Hye-young, member of the Green Justice Party, held placards at a press conference urging the swift passage of the "Special Prosecutor Act for Chae Sang-byeong" at the National Assembly Communication Hall in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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It remains uncertain whether the presidential office and the Democratic Party, meeting again over contentious issues, can find common ground. The presidential office has expressed an open stance to listen to opposition opinions regarding the prime minister nomination, but the Democratic Party has passed the ball back, saying that nominating a suitable candidate should come first. If there is no significant progress in the second working-level meeting on this day, there is speculation that the summit meeting could be repeatedly postponed or even canceled altogether.

Floor leader Hong Ik-pyo emphasized at the policy coordination meeting that day, "Our party will definitely handle three tasks before concluding the 21st National Assembly: the Itaewon disaster special law, the special prosecutor law for the Marine Corps soldier death case, and the special law on jeonse fraud."

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