Democratic Party: "Hand Over Judiciary Committee to People Power Party?... Out of the Blue, Nothing Discussed"

On June 9, the Democratic Party of Korea expressed a negative stance regarding the People Power Party's demand to hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, stating that "nothing has been discussed."

Han Minsoo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said in a briefing after the Supreme Council meeting on the same day, "There was no discussion in the Supreme Council meeting regarding that matter (the People Power Party's request to yield the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee)." He added, "Is it right for us to ask for the standing committee positions that the ruling party previously held?" and remarked, "It seems like they are just saying whatever they want."

Park Chandae, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th.

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Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party who serves as the party's legal advisory committee chair, issued a statement the previous day arguing that an opposition lawmaker should take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Joo stated, "To keep the executive branch in check, the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee should now go to the opposition," and demanded, "The Democratic Party should return the chairmanship and normalize the committee." Na Kyungwon, another People Power Party lawmaker, also said the previous day, "As long as the majority Democratic Party monopolizes the chairmanship, the National Assembly cannot keep the executive branch in check," adding, "The president, the supermajority ruling bloc with 193 seats, the speaker of the National Assembly, and now the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee?all being monopolized undermines the spirit of the separation of powers and reduces the National Assembly to a mere rubber stamp for the Lee Jaemyung administration."

Spokesperson Han said, "Usually, the chairmanship of standing committees is held for two years each by the first and second largest parties, regardless of whether they are the ruling or opposition parties," and questioned, "Why is the People Power Party suddenly making this demand publicly?" He continued, "With the new administration working to improve people's livelihoods and revive the economy, a normal main opposition party, even after a presidential election defeat and in a difficult position, should cooperate on state affairs when necessary and criticize when appropriate. This demand is out of the blue."

Regarding whether the Commercial Act and other bills will be handled at the plenary session scheduled for June 12, spokesperson Han said, "Nothing has been decided yet," but added, "For example, the three broadcasting-related bills are also scheduled to be discussed and processed in the standing committee."

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