Ruling Party Pushes Through Election of 11 Committee Chairs ... Rocky Road Unavoidable for Second Half of National Assembly

At the Plenary Session on the 30th, Democratic Party Appoints 11 Standing Committee Chairs
Byungdo Han: "Filibuster and Fast-Track Procedures Must Be Revised"
People Power Party to Hold General Meeting on the 2nd to Discuss Response Strategies

With the Democratic Party of Korea electing 11 standing committee chairpersons in a plenary session, the second half of the 22nd National Assembly is set to operate in a so-called "open-door departure" format. The Democratic Party has even announced plans to amend the National Assembly Act, including shortening the period for fast-track agenda items, while the People Power Party is also warning of a strong response.

Byungdo Han, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the highest committee meeting held at the National Assembly on July 1, "Due to the absurd obstruction and unreasonable demands by the People Power Party, a month has passed without taking the first step for the second half of the National Assembly." He continued, "As the first measure to create a functioning National Assembly, the Democratic Party has completed the election of 11 standing committee chairpersons." The previous day, the Democratic Party and its allied parties convened a plenary session, despite a boycott by the People Power Party, and elected standing committee chairpersons, including the chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The People Power Party has continued to insist that the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee should come from their party, citing the need for checks and balances.

Byungdo Han, Acting President and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on July 1, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Acting Leader Han called on the People Power Party to promptly proceed with the election of the remaining seven standing committee chairpersons allocated to their party. He stated, "If they reject even this and continue to obstruct the operation of the National Assembly, we will use all means and methods to restore normalcy to the Assembly."

He also announced plans to strengthen the requirements for applying for and maintaining unlimited debate (filibuster). In the first half of the term, the People Power Party delayed the passage of bills in plenary sessions by filing for filibusters even on bills agreed upon by both parties. In response, the ruling party is now considering measures such as terminating a filibuster if less than one-fifth of members remain present. Additionally, they have expressed their intention to revise other procedures, including the fast-track agenda. Acting Leader Han said, "The maximum 330-day period for the fast-track process is actually longer than the average bill review period in the 21st Assembly," adding, "We will reform the system to truly enable expedited bill reviews."

Jeong Jeom-sik, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, declared at a protest meeting the previous evening, "Without normalization of the Assembly's formation, there will be no negotiations or cooperation of any kind" and "We will not accept any committee assignments." He continued, "If the ruling party wants it that badly, take all the power," adding, "But from now on, all responsibility for state affairs will rest solely with the Democratic Party." The People Power Party has already submitted resignations for all forcibly assigned committee positions.

On July 1, Floor Leader Jeong told reporters at the National Assembly that "regarding additional Assembly formation, our stance will be decided at the general meeting of lawmakers on July 2."

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