Ruling and Opposition Parties Begin Full-Scale Steering Committee Negotiations... Clash Emerges Over Judiciary Committee

Formation of Steering Committees for the Second Half of the 22nd National Assembly Begins
Democratic Party: "Swift Passage" vs. People Power Party: "Checks and Balances"

The ruling and opposition parties are set to begin full-scale negotiations this week to form key committees for the second half of the 22nd National Assembly. The Democratic Party, which is the ruling party, is aiming to secure chairmanships of crucial standing committees to advance the major policy agenda of the Lee Jae-myung administration. Meanwhile, the People Power Party is insisting that key committee chairmanships should go to the opposition to maintain checks on the government and the ruling party, indicating that considerable friction is expected during the negotiation process.

Jo Jung-sik (center), Speaker of the National Assembly, is meeting with Han Byung-do (left), Floor Leader of the Democratic Party, and Jung Jeong-sik (right), Floor Leader of the People Power Party, at the National Assembly on the 11th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

According to political sources on the 14th, the greatest focus is on the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The Democratic Party argues that the ruling party should take the chairmanship of this committee to expedite the passage of livelihood and reform bills that have passed other standing committees. In contrast, the People Power Party claims that since the speakership goes to the largest party, the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee should be given to the second largest party to ensure checks and balances.

Choi Sujin, Chief Spokesperson for the People Power Party, stated in a commentary on the same day, "Only by ensuring that the opposition leads the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and fully restores the National Assembly's oversight function can we heed the stern will of the people as expressed in the June 3 local elections to prevent the privatization of power." In response, Lee Juhee, Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, countered, "We can never hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to the People Power Party, which has repeatedly delayed legislation."

The allocation of chairmanships for other economic-related standing committees, such as the Political Affairs Committee, the Industry, Trade, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee, the Strategy and Finance Committee, and the Science, ICT, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, is also a key topic for negotiation. In particular, the Democratic Party believes it must secure major economic committee chairmanships to legislatively support the Lee Jae-myung administration’s key economic policies, including advancing into the global top three in artificial intelligence (AI), fostering high-tech industries, and modernizing capital markets.

Standing committees related to national security, such as the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and the National Defense Committee—both previously chaired by the People Power Party in the first half of the National Assembly—are also being discussed as variables in the negotiations.

There are also speculations about potential candidates for the chairmanships. Within the Democratic Party, three-term lawmakers without prior experience as ministers or committee chairs are being mentioned as candidates. Song Ki-heon and Jeon Hyun-hee are being discussed as possible candidates for the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, along with Kim Joungho, Kim Youngjin, Lee Eonju, and Jin Sungjoon.

Within the People Power Party, the pool of candidates is also centered around three-term lawmakers who have not previously chaired a committee. These include Kim Sungwon, Kim Jeongjae, Kim Heejung, Song Eonseok, Lee Manhee, and Lee Yangsoo. Among the four-term lawmakers, Ahn Cheolsoo and Yoo Eui-dong are also being considered.

Political observers believe that a consensus between the ruling and opposition parties on the principles for allocating committee chairmanships must be reached before discussions on internal appointments can begin in earnest. Given the significant differences between the two parties over the distribution of key committees, especially the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, it appears that the negotiations to form the National Assembly for the second half of the term will inevitably face considerable challenges.

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