The second regular session of the National Assembly since the inauguration of President Lee Jae-myung began with a plenary session on September 1. As National Assembly Speaker Chung Jin-suk noted in his opening remarks, urgent action is needed on livelihood-related bills and next year's budget by the legal deadline. However, it appears that the National Assembly is not yet prepared to prioritize these issues.
Most concerning is the ongoing prelude to conflict between the ruling and opposition parties over the confirmation hearings for the second cabinet of this administration, various legislative proposals, and the massive budget exceeding 800 trillion won. If this pattern continues, as seen in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, the session may devolve into repeated disruptions, with political strife overshadowing the needs of the public.
The first major issue on the agenda is the confirmation hearings. The Democratic Party has set a goal to complete the hearings before the Chuseok holiday, signaling the start of a significant political battle rather than focusing on public welfare.
Following the announcement of President Lee's second cabinet on August 30, both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party have engaged in fierce competition over the appointments. The People Power Party has intensified its attacks on Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won and Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in, while the Democratic Party has responded vigorously, indicating a full-scale battle even before the hearings officially begin.
The Democratic Party is actively clarifying allegations involving its own member, Kim, related to a 'new drug solicitation' and 'prosecution cancellation meeting,' demonstrating its commitment to minimizing the government's policy vacuum. However, there are divisions within the party regarding Yong, with concerns about 'privilege' and 'unfairness' surfacing.
During the August 17 party convention, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok and former leader Song Young-gil emphasized their connections with President Lee, revealing that the party is taking Yong's nomination seriously.
In this context, the People Power Party is also ramping up its attacks on both nominees, signaling a major offensive during the confirmation hearings. While the Democratic Party argues for a swift conclusion to the hearings to facilitate the launch of the second cabinet, if the cabinet fails to gain trust within its own party, it will face significant opposition from the opposition, further sidelining public welfare.
Next year's budget, which directly impacts the public, is also expected to be mired in conflict as both parties continue their confrontational stance. The People Power Party, led by Representative Jang Dong-hyuk, has labeled the government's proposed record budget as 'populism' and 'money distribution,' tightening its grip on the issue. They have raised concerns about soaring prices and potential tax increases, citing a consumer price inflation rate of 3.1% as of August.
Given the People Power Party's strong opposition to the budget, the processing of what is supposed to be a 'budget for the people' is likely to face significant challenges. However, the difficulties in reaching a consensus on the budget are not solely the fault of the People Power Party's outright rejection. The Democratic Party, as the ruling party with a majority in the National Assembly, is also pushing for unconditional approval of the budget, deepening the conflict.
Most importantly, statements urging the People Power Party to 'bring alternatives instead of slogans' and calling them 'shameless' have complicated negotiations over the budget.
The existence of the National Assembly, representing the people, should not be about the power struggles of the ruling and opposition parties or political conflicts for re-election. A National Assembly that prioritizes its political interests over the public's needs loses its reason for existence and justification for support. It is hoped that a National Assembly focused on public welfare and healthy discussions will emerge soon.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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