Korea's US Investment Committee Faces Gridlock as Opposition Demands Ministers Stay Away

The National Assembly's Special Committee on US Investment, convening for the first time since the US Supreme Court ruled mutual tariffs unconstitutional, appears headed for another standoff between ruling and opposition parties on the 24th.

The People Power Party (PPP), which chairs the committee, has asked relevant cabinet ministers not to attend the session, according to sources familiar with the matter.

"I understand Chairman Kim Sang-hoon has requested that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yoon-cheol and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan not attend the committee meeting," a committee official said in a phone interview.

The two ministers were originally scheduled to appear before the committee to explain the necessity of the Special Act on US Investment.

The PPP signaled it would cooperate with the scheduled legislative public hearing but boycott the bill's formal introduction and subcommittee formation. Floor Leader Song Eon-seok hinted at this stance a day earlier when asked whether a filibuster starting as early as the 24th could affect the US Investment Committee. "It would inevitably be affected," he replied.

The PPP held a breakfast meeting with business leaders at the National Assembly regarding the US Investment Special Act, criticizing the government and the Democratic Party of Korea.

"The government and ruling party have been dragging their feet on the US Special Act and haven't been proactive, but I'm proud that our party has been taking the lead more actively," said Rep. Park Soo-young, the committee's chief secretary for the opposition.