Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pressured the People Power Party on Monday, saying, "We will tighten the criteria for applying for and maintaining the filibuster (unlimited debate) so that even livelihood bills are never again held hostage to political strife." He also expressed a position to significantly shorten the period for the fast-track system.
Han made the remarks at the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, adding, "If the People Power Party obstructs the operation of the National Assembly, the Democratic Party will mobilize all means and methods to complete the normalization of the National Assembly."
After negotiations with the People Power Party over the second-half committee composition broke down, the Democratic Party unilaterally passed a motion on the 30th of last month to take 11 standing committee chairmanships, including the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, on its own. The party is urging negotiations while leaving seven standing committee chairmanships vacant for the People Power Party.
The party's position is to show a willingness to negotiate with the People Power Party while responding firmly to non-cooperation in the operation of the National Assembly. Han said, "Because of the People Power Party's absurd obstinacy and unreasonable demands, the second-half National Assembly let a month pass without even taking its first step," and pointed out, "How abnormal must this have looked to the people?"
The People Power Party pushed back strongly, calling it "the tyranny of the majority party." Chung Jom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, met with reporters that day and said, "The Democratic Party has seized the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. This is the result of the National Assembly Speaker and many others going along with the tyranny of the majority party," adding, "At the general meeting of lawmakers on the 2nd, we plan to decide the party's position regarding the committee composition."
