Deadlock in National Cooperation Talks... Ruling Party "Come Back" vs Opposition "Appoint Ma Eun-hyeok First" (Comprehensive)

The ruling and opposition parties are still at an impasse over the suspension of the ruling-opposition-government national consultation council last month. The People Power Party demanded an apology and explanation from the Democratic Party of Korea, which caused the suspension, while the Democratic Party urged the government to appoint Ma Eun-hyuk as a constitutional court justice, citing the government's failure to do so as the reason for boycotting the council.

Park Soo-min, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, said at a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 3rd, "We hope the Democratic Party will not only pressure the appointment of Ma Eun-hyuk as a constitutional court justice but also return to the national consultation council and take responsibility for national stability and livelihood stability."

The National Assembly-Government Policy Consultation Meeting for National Stability, which was scheduled to be held on the 28th at Sarangjae, the National Assembly in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, was canceled, leaving the seats empty. 2025. 02. 28

원본보기 아이콘

Spokesperson Park said, "Last Friday, the Democratic Party unilaterally suspended the national consultation council just 10 minutes before it was to be held," adding, "The reason was that they found it difficult to recognize Acting President Choi Sang-mok as a dialogue partner because he has not appointed candidate Ma." He pointed out, "While the appointment of constitutional court justices is an important matter, we cannot help but question whether it is an issue serious enough to disrupt the national consultation council and whether such a situation currently exists."

He added, "It is necessary to judge whether the appointment of constitutional court justices is more important or the national consultation council is more important."

Park also said, "There is considerable public concern about the Constitutional Court recently. That concern is not about the eight-member system but about procedural bias and political bias," explaining, "The Constitutional Court itself has disregarded and treated the Constitutional Court Act lightly, requested investigation records from the prosecution, did not adopt the trial-centered principle adopted by the Supreme Court citing the reason of constitutional adjudication, and the controversy over the political bias of the justices has greatly intensified."

He added, "Candidate Ma, whom the Democratic Party is strongly pressuring, is the most representative candidate in terms of procedural concerns and political bias," and "The Constitutional Court caused great controversy by prioritizing the constitutional dispute over the appointment of Ma rather than the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who can stabilize the government."

He emphasized, "The national consultation council suspended by the Democratic Party is a council where decision-makers who can make important national decisions gather while the president is suspended from duty," adding, "The Democratic Party is pressuring the supplementary budget and national pension reform plan. We need to discuss the Semiconductor Special Act and whether to exempt the application of the 52-hour workweek."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. 2025.2.27 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

원본보기 아이콘

On the other hand, the Democratic Party argued that the top priority for livelihood stability is to eliminate the insurrection forces.

Kim Yoon-duk, the secretary-general of the Democratic Party, said at a press briefing that "The top priority for livelihood and national stability is to clearly judge and eliminate the insurrection forces," and "The Democratic Party has clearly stated its position on Acting President Choi cooperating with or avoiding the insurrection forces."

He also claimed that the Myung Tae-gyun gate has expanded from the Yoon Seok-youl couple gate to the People Power Party gate. Kim criticized the People Power Party, saying, "If they are innocent, they should take the lead in uncovering the truth," and "There is no reason to oppose a special prosecutor while watching the prosecution's investigation that only delays time. Before opposing the special prosecutor, it is necessary to clarify whether they were aware of the preemptive interference in candidate nominations."

He emphasized, "Mrs. Kim Kun-hee directly mentioned the name 'Kwon Seong-dong' in a phone call with Myung Tae-gyun," adding, "This is not an issue to be glossed over by calling it political manipulation."

Yoon Jong-gun, the floor spokesperson, also said, "Acting President Choi will hold a cabinet meeting tomorrow, and we will observe the results and respond," adding, "It is important for the ruling and opposition parties to handle pressing issues and the supplementary budget through the national consultation council, so we plan to patiently engage in dialogue and fight while watching Acting President Choi's actions."

Regarding the criticism of "boycotting the council," spokesperson Yoon said, "Saying 'We will not operate the council until candidate Ma is appointed' is going too far," adding, "It is a natural demand to quickly appoint the justice, and the boycott was to make a clear stance on that."

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. 2025.2.27 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

원본보기 아이콘

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.