54 days after being stalled, the National Assembly has begun the process of normalization. The People Power Party has decided to end its boycott and participate in the formation of the Assembly, with plans to elect seven committee chairs from the opposition during a plenary session on the 23rd. The parties have also reached an agreement to address the special investigation bill regarding the shortage of ballots for the Election Commission, effectively bringing an end to the extreme standoff.
The normalization of the National Assembly is a necessary step. However, the political responsibility for delaying this process for nearly two months is significant. The National Assembly is the legislative body of the nation and the highest decision-making institution responsible for the people's livelihoods. The inability to finalize the formation of committees, which rendered them largely ineffective, created a political vacuum that is difficult to explain to the public.
Meanwhile, the challenges we face have not diminished. Issues such as trade pressures from the United States, the restructuring of global supply chains, competition in artificial intelligence (AI), the nurturing of strategic industries like semiconductors and defense, low birth rates, pension reform, and responses to regional extinction are all urgent matters that cannot be postponed. The world has continued to move forward even while the National Assembly was at a standstill.
Both parties share responsibility for this situation. The Democratic Party, leveraging its overwhelming majority, unilaterally elected committee chairs, including the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. While the National Assembly operates on the principle of majority rule, majority power cannot replace cooperation. The foundation of Assembly operations should be dialogue and compromise, especially since the formation of committees determines the future framework of the Assembly, necessitating efforts to persuade and reach agreements with the opposition.
The People Power Party must also reflect on whether its choice to boycott the Assembly was the best course of action. The role of the opposition is not outside the Assembly but within it, to check the government and the ruling party. Refusing to participate in legislative schedules for an extended period while abandoning the review of bills and budget scrutiny ultimately delays the interests of the public.
A notable aspect of this agreement is the special investigation into the Election Commission. Both parties have agreed to process the special investigation bill within the July extraordinary session. Elections are the foundation of democracy, and public trust in the election management body is a pillar supporting democracy. It is essential to clarify the responsibilities and causes surrounding the ballot shortage through objective investigation rather than political disputes. This is why the special investigation should serve as a starting point for institutional improvement rather than a tool for political conflict.
Now, the National Assembly must not present its normalization as an achievement but demonstrate what it will accomplish afterward. The most urgent matter is the people's livelihoods. There are numerous bills directly related to the lives of citizens, including strengthening competitiveness in advanced industries, regulatory innovation, legislation in preparation for the AI era, support for small businesses, and reforms in healthcare and pensions. Committees should serve as practical workspaces to address these challenges, not merely as political symbols.
The National Assembly is a place of conflict. However, mediating conflicts and reaching agreements is also a fundamental reason for its existence. The majority party must exercise restraint, while the minority party must responsibly perform its oversight role. Neither unilateral actions nor unconditional boycotts reflect the National Assembly that the public expects.
The 54-day void is now behind us. What is more important is to prevent a recurrence of such an event. If the National Assembly becomes mired in political strife again, public trust will further erode. Both parties should regard this agreement on committee formation as a starting point for cooperation. The National Assembly that the public desires is not one that fights but one that works.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.