The Democratic Party of Korea (DP) warned the People Power Party (PPP) that it might "take extraordinary measures if things really do not work out," signaling the possibility of taking over all parliamentary standing committees, as the main opposition continues its boycott of the National Assembly's committee formation despite being allotted seven committee chairmanships. Party leaders also sounded the alarm, saying they "cannot wait forever."
Kang Joon-hyun, the DP's chief spokesperson, made the remarks when he met reporters after the party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on Tuesday. "Among the seven standing committees (for which chairmanships have been allotted to the PPP), there are many key committees such as the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee and the Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups Committee. They must not be left idle," he said. He added, "The floor leadership will continue negotiations next week, so please watch closely."
Regarding the second-half committee formation, the DP allotted committee chairmanships based on the distribution of seats, with 11 committees going to the DP and 7 to the PPP out of a total of 18 standing committees. However, in the case of the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which was the key point of contention, the DP decided to take it despite the PPP's demand for its return. The PPP has objected to this decision and continues its hardline stance of refusing to cooperate with parliamentary operations.
The DP leadership also raised the argument of "monopolizing the committees." Supreme Council member Kang Deuk-koo said at the council meeting that day, "The PPP has refused the parliamentary committee assignments and declared a hardline struggle," adding, "If they continue to refuse the seven standing committees, we will regard it as yielding them to the DP."
Kang urged cooperation on committee formation, saying, "The National Assembly is a place responsible for the lives of the people and has a duty to create a national vision," and "If the PPP wants to criticize, they should come into the Assembly and do it within the Assembly." He warned, "We cannot wait for the PPP forever. I am a parliamentarian, but I can no longer just watch an opposition party throwing tantrums, an opposition party refusing committee assignments without any logic. The DP cannot let this slide."
Other party leaders also condemned the PPP and repeatedly called for an agreement. Han Byeong-do, the acting party leader and floor leader, said, "It is just frustrating that the largest opposition party has no regard for people's livelihoods," adding, "The PPP, which has abandoned the lives of the people, will surely be judged. I hope they will cooperate in normalizing the National Assembly even now."
Supreme Council member Hwang Myung-sun said, "The PPP's obstruction of the National Assembly has gone too far," adding, "Only when the remaining seven standing committees allotted to the PPP begin normal operation as soon as possible can a livelihood recovery that the people can actually feel become possible. Cooperate on committee formation promptly."
