The exclusion of Lee Jin-sook from the National Assembly's Science and Technology Information and Broadcasting Committee, led by the Democratic Party, has sparked intense reactions from the opposition for the second consecutive day. Critics argue that the Democratic Party, which has already undermined the People Power Party's resistance during the legislative process, is now attempting to restrict the National Assembly inspection rights of individual lawmakers.
Kim Seung-soo, the People Power Party's floor operation chief, pointed out during a National Assembly inspection strategy meeting on the 13th that "the exclusion of this lawmaker is an illegal decision in terms of both procedure and content," adding, "We are witnessing scenes this year that are rarely seen over several years. It feels like the Democratic Party is going too far."
He further criticized, "On the first day of the inspection, lawmaker Kim Jae-seop from the Political Affairs Committee was summoned by the police and interrogated for 16 hours and 46 minutes, preventing him from participating in the inspection," and condemned, "The chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Seo Young-kyo, committed an unprecedented act by silencing the speaking rights of two People Power Party lawmakers in one day."
Secretary General Jeong Hee-yong also raised his voice against the exclusion decision, stating, "Using a majority of seats to effectively restrict the inspections of opposition lawmakers is a violation of the fundamental principles of democracy and an act of parliamentary tyranny." He added, "This is a political maneuver to silence the opposition's efforts to uncover uncomfortable truths about the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party," urging for the immediate withdrawal of the unjust exclusion decision and the protection of opposition lawmakers' inspection rights.
The People Power Party strongly opposed the Democratic Party's actions, claiming that they not only undermined the legitimate proceedings of the opposition during the legislative process but are now infringing upon the inspection rights of lawmakers. Earlier this year, the Democratic Party concluded unlimited discussions on various bills through voting, including the second comprehensive special investigation law, the third commercial law amendment, and the three judicial laws (establishment of the crime of judicial distortion, introduction of judicial review, and increase of Supreme Court justices). In July, they effectively forced the end of unlimited discussions on the National Assembly law amendment by shortening the session.
Following the Democratic Party's handling of numerous bills despite opposition resistance, the People Power Party has filed for a dispute resolution and is preparing additional countermeasures.
In this context, lawmaker Na Kyung-won, a former judge, stated on her Facebook the previous day, "We must immediately file for a suspension of the tyrannical decision and also file criminal charges for abuse of power against the chair of the committee and the instigators," emphasizing, "The People Power Party must unite across committees to fight against the Democratic Party's tyranny."
Choi Hyung-doo, the opposition's secretary for the Science and Technology Committee, warned, "If an objection is raised, it must go through a vote in the plenary session, and during that period, the Democratic Party has no authority to block this lawmaker's inspection," adding, "If they try to obstruct (this lawmaker), I will not remain silent."
On the same day, the Science and Technology Committee conducted inspections of agencies unrelated to the Broadcasting and Media Committee, and there were no incidents of this lawmaker being obstructed. However, analysts suggest that further clashes between the ruling and opposition parties or disruptions to the inspection process could occur depending on future schedules.
Meanwhile, the Science and Technology Committee held a secret ballot on the exclusion of this lawmaker the previous day, which passed with 12 votes in favor and none against. People Power Party lawmakers protested the voting process and walked out. Democratic Party members of the committee stated after the exclusion vote, "If a party involved in a decision is to oversee that decision, there is a significant risk of undermining fairness," asserting that the exclusion decision was a necessary measure for a trustworthy National Assembly inspection.
Kim Seung-soo, the People Power Party's floor operation chief, pointed out during a National Assembly inspection strategy meeting on the 13th that "the exclusion of this lawmaker is an illegal decision in terms of both procedure and content," adding, "We are witnessing scenes this year that are rarely seen over several years. It feels like the Democratic Party is going too far."
He further criticized, "On the first day of the inspection, lawmaker Kim Jae-seop from the Political Affairs Committee was summoned by the police and interrogated for 16 hours and 46 minutes, preventing him from participating in the inspection," and condemned, "The chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Seo Young-kyo, committed an unprecedented act by silencing the speaking rights of two People Power Party lawmakers in one day."
Secretary General Jeong Hee-yong also raised his voice against the exclusion decision, stating, "Using a majority of seats to effectively restrict the inspections of opposition lawmakers is a violation of the fundamental principles of democracy and an act of parliamentary tyranny." He added, "This is a political maneuver to silence the opposition's efforts to uncover uncomfortable truths about the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party," urging for the immediate withdrawal of the unjust exclusion decision and the protection of opposition lawmakers' inspection rights.
The People Power Party strongly opposed the Democratic Party's actions, claiming that they not only undermined the legitimate proceedings of the opposition during the legislative process but are now infringing upon the inspection rights of lawmakers. Earlier this year, the Democratic Party concluded unlimited discussions on various bills through voting, including the second comprehensive special investigation law, the third commercial law amendment, and the three judicial laws (establishment of the crime of judicial distortion, introduction of judicial review, and increase of Supreme Court justices). In July, they effectively forced the end of unlimited discussions on the National Assembly law amendment by shortening the session.
Following the Democratic Party's handling of numerous bills despite opposition resistance, the People Power Party has filed for a dispute resolution and is preparing additional countermeasures.
In this context, lawmaker Na Kyung-won, a former judge, stated on her Facebook the previous day, "We must immediately file for a suspension of the tyrannical decision and also file criminal charges for abuse of power against the chair of the committee and the instigators," emphasizing, "The People Power Party must unite across committees to fight against the Democratic Party's tyranny."
Choi Hyung-doo, the opposition's secretary for the Science and Technology Committee, warned, "If an objection is raised, it must go through a vote in the plenary session, and during that period, the Democratic Party has no authority to block this lawmaker's inspection," adding, "If they try to obstruct (this lawmaker), I will not remain silent."
On the same day, the Science and Technology Committee conducted inspections of agencies unrelated to the Broadcasting and Media Committee, and there were no incidents of this lawmaker being obstructed. However, analysts suggest that further clashes between the ruling and opposition parties or disruptions to the inspection process could occur depending on future schedules.
Meanwhile, the Science and Technology Committee held a secret ballot on the exclusion of this lawmaker the previous day, which passed with 12 votes in favor and none against. People Power Party lawmakers protested the voting process and walked out. Democratic Party members of the committee stated after the exclusion vote, "If a party involved in a decision is to oversee that decision, there is a significant risk of undermining fairness," asserting that the exclusion decision was a necessary measure for a trustworthy National Assembly inspection.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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