{"id":2205579,"date":"2024-06-25T19:15:35","date_gmt":"2024-06-25T10:15:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2205579"},"modified":"2024-06-26T18:47:04","modified_gmt":"2024-06-26T09:47:04","slug":"south-koreas-opposition-gains-upper-hand-in-legislative-power-struggle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/06\/south-koreas-opposition-gains-upper-hand-in-legislative-power-struggle\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s opposition gains upper hand in legislative power struggle"},"content":{"rendered":"
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) decided to <\/span>accept<\/span><\/a> its leadership of seven standing parliamentary committees on Monday, as well as the opposition\u2019s leadership of 11 committees, ending a monthlong <\/span>boycott<\/span><\/a> of National Assembly proceedings.<\/span><\/p>\n While this move resolves the immediate impasse over committee assignments, it will likely lead to prolonged political tension and legislative inefficiency in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n The opposition\u2019s dominance in crucial committees, particularly the <\/span>Legislation and Judiciary Committee<\/span><\/a>, means that it will be able to obstruct the passage of administration-backed bills, potentially affecting everything from economic reforms to foreign policy initiatives.<\/span><\/p>\n PPP\u2019S COMPROMISE<\/b><\/p>\n Following <\/span>April\u2019s parliamentary election<\/span><\/a>, the DP swiftly consolidated its power in the legislature. Earlier this month, the party <\/span>unilaterally selected<\/span><\/a> the chairs for 11 of 18 standing committees, including key panels such as the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n The 11 committees also include the Steering, Broadcasting, Education, Public Administration, Culture, Agriculture, Health and Welfare, Environment and Labor, Land and Budget committees.<\/span><\/p>\n The PPP immediately denounced the DP\u2019s move as undemocratic and launched a boycott of all parliamentary proceedings, effectively paralyzing the National Assembly for nearly a month. It has been <\/span>customary<\/span><\/a> for the largest party to take the speaker position, with the second-largest party getting to chair the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.<\/span><\/p>\n The PPP\u2019s decision to accept the leadership of seven standing committees likely stems from a mix of pragmatic and strategic considerations after it recognized the risk of being perceived as obstructionist by voters.<\/span><\/p>\n PPP floor leader <\/span>Choo Kyung-ho<\/span><\/a> stated<\/span><\/a> that despite his dissatisfaction, he agreed the party would lead its seven committees to \u201cstop the DP\u2019s runaway actions.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The seven committees allocated to the PPP are National Defense, Strategy and Finance, National Policy, Gender Equality and Family, Industry and Trade, Foreign Affairs and Unification and Intelligence.<\/span><\/p>\n This allocation allows the PPP to maintain some oversight on key government functions, particularly in areas crucial to Yoon\u2019s agenda such as economic policy and foreign affairs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, the party\u2019s influence remains limited due to the DP\u2019s control of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which has the power to approve bills before they are put to a plenary vote. With the DP at its helm, this committee can effectively block or substantially alter administration-backed legislation before it reaches the floor.<\/span><\/p>\n Even when bills clear the committee stage, the DP\u2019s 170-seat majority in the National Assembly poses another hurdle as the minority ruling party, which with just 108 seats lacks the numbers to pass legislation without opposition support.<\/span><\/p>\n This dynamic may result in policy stagnation, particularly in areas where the PPP and DP have significant differences.<\/span><\/p>\n