Deadlock in Committee Composition Talks Prolonged... People Power Party: "Negotiations to Continue, Firm Response on Criminal Procedure Act"

People Power Party: "Negotiations Continue, Strongly Condemn the Criminal Procedure Act Amendment"
Jang Donghyuk Raises Possibility of Boycotting Constitution Day Ceremony

As the negotiations for the formation of the 22nd National Assembly’s committees in the latter half of the term continue to run in parallel with no resolution in sight, the Democratic Party of Korea is accelerating its handling of the Criminal Procedure Act amendment bill that includes the abolition of supplementary investigation authority. The People Power Party is proceeding with committee formation talks but has made it clear that it will take a hardline stance against the Democratic Party’s push to pass the criminal procedure legislation, ramping up pressure on the ruling party.

On July 15, the Democratic Party convened the First Subcommittee for Bill Review of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and reviewed the amendment to the Criminal Procedure Act containing the provision to abolish supplementary investigation authority. The Democratic Party plans to continue further discussions by holding a full session of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee later in the afternoon.

Seungwon Kim, Chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's First Subcommittee for Bill Review, is presiding over the third meeting of the first bill review subcommittee of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly on July 15. Members of the People Power Party, who are boycotting the National Assembly schedule in opposition to the reorganization of the committees, were absent. July 15, 2026 Photo by Hyunmin Kim

While the People Power Party continues talks on committee formation, it has maintained its position of firmly opposing the Democratic Party’s unilateral drive to pass the Criminal Procedure Act. Choi Sujin, Chief Spokesperson for Floor Operations of the People Power Party, stated, “Negotiations for committee formation are ongoing,” and added, “We condemn the ruling party’s forcible passage of the Criminal Procedure Act,” making clear the party’s intent to respond strongly.

Amid continuing intra-parliamentary negotiations, the party leadership is also increasing pressure on the ruling party. Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, appeared on the Pen&Mic YouTube channel that day and stated, “If the negotiations on committee formation do not proceed in a convincing direction by Constitution Day and if there is no progress on the special prosecutor negotiations, as the leader of the largest opposition party I will not attend the Constitution Day ceremony.”

Jang criticized, “Normally, committee formation negotiations wrap up around Constitution Day, but the Democratic Party has unilaterally taken the committee chair positions it wanted without any agreement, and is running the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as they please.”

The People Power Party asserts that there is no point in participating in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee under circumstances where the Democratic Party has unilaterally elected committee chairs, and is demanding renegotiation of committee formation. Jeong Jeomsik, floor leader of the People Power Party, also stated the previous day, “What is the use of joining the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in a situation where checks and balances have collapsed?”

The party leadership believes that, for now, negotiation capabilities should be consolidated around the floor leader. One People Power Party lawmaker said, “With so many differing opinions within the party, it is unclear how long the boycott will last,” adding, “Now is the time to support the floor leader.”

However, within the party, there are concerns that if the parliamentary deadlock continues, there could be mounting public criticism that the party is neglecting the livelihoods of the people. Some believe that even if the negotiations on committee formation do not yield the desired outcome, the party should enter the National Assembly to keep the government and ruling party in check.

You Youngha, a People Power Party lawmaker, stated on Facebook the previous day, “The position of Legislation and Judiciary Committee chair cannot be prioritized above the livelihood issues facing us,” adding, “If you are going to boycott the National Assembly, you should be prepared to give up your seat as a lawmaker.”

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