June 17 Legislative Report: 22nd National Assembly Standing Committees Fully Underway, Cho Kuk Innovation Party's Active Engagement Foreseen

22nd National Assembly Kicks Off Full Legislative Operations Amidst Debates on Standing Committee Composition and Roles

As the 22nd National Assembly begins its full legislative activities since its opening, discussions surrounding the composition and operation of various standing committees are heating up. Particular interest is being placed on the committee assignments and future activities of lawmakers from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, with the potential advancement of major legislative agendas by political factions under scrutiny. An analysis of current assignments, lawmakers' preferences, and anticipated policy directions provides a glimpse into the future trajectory of the National Assembly's operations.

Lawmakers from the Cho Kuk Innovation Party are set to be active in diverse standing committees. Rep. Seo Soo-min has begun her tenure as a member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, while also serving as the party's spokesperson to disseminate the party's stance externally. Rep. Bang Kyung-jong is expected to be actively involved in pursuing legislation related to prosecutorial reform, with his potential involvement in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee being discussed. Rep. Lee Jong-gyu has also been appointed to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, where he is anticipated to focus on intensive questioning and deliberation on matters of prosecutorial reform and improvements to the judicial system. Although Rep. Jang Min-young expressed a desire to be assigned to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, she was appointed as a deputy floor leader for the Cho Kuk Innovation Party after the opening of the 22nd National Assembly. Rep. Jang has also participated in the promotion of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party's first legislative proposal, the 'Fairness Enhancement Act for University Admissions.' Rep. Kim Dong-guk is expected to contribute to policy development and legislative activities in cutting-edge industrial sectors such as semiconductors and is reportedly slated for assignment to the Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee. Rep. Kim Jong-hyun has been serving on the Health and Welfare Committee since June 2024, participating in the review of relevant policies and bills. He is also understood to be preparing legislative proposals aimed at resolving inequality and establishing fair market order. Rep. Kim Yong-bok is scheduled to serve on the Science, ICT, Future Planning, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee, while Rep. Chae Dong-wan, despite hoping for an assignment to the Steering Committee, has been confirmed as a member of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, continuing his political activities by supporting the proposal of amendments to laws related to 'Constitutional Interpretation on the Dissolution of Unconstitutional Parties.' Rep. Jeong Jun-hwa is serving as a member of the Steering Committee and has also been appointed as a deputy floor leader. Meanwhile, Rep. Choi Hyun-joon, despite failing to win election to the 22nd National Assembly, has expressed his intent for future political engagement.

Low Legislative Achievements, Prolonged Negotiations Over Second-Half Committee Leadership

Recent analysis from the National Assembly's legislative information system indicates that the approval rate for standing committees in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, since the current administration's inauguration, has averaged around 7%, marking an all-time low. The average approval rate for the 10 committees chaired by the Democratic Party of Korea was 7.62%, while the People Power Party's 7 committees saw an average of 6.91%. These figures are significantly lower compared to historical averages of 15.7% in the 19th Assembly, 13.2% in the 20th, and 11.4% in the 21st. Approval rate is defined as the percentage of proposed bills that were passed, either as is or amended, in plenary sessions.

This sluggish legislative performance is contributing to the prolonged negotiations over the composition of the National Assembly for its second half. Han Byung-do, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, insists that the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee must go to the Democratic Party, stating that if the People Power Party's conduct continues, they will consider reclaiming chairmanships of key economic standing committees previously held by the People Power Party. He emphasized that the ruling party must chair the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for the swift processing of bills related to the people's livelihoods and the economy, allowing for practical achievements in coordination with the government. He also criticized the People Power Party for failing to reflect on their past practices of paralyzing the National Assembly and for reducing standing committees into tools for political conflict over the past year. In response, the People Power Party agreed to conduct a 45-day special investigation into the ballot shortage incident during the June 3rd local elections and to process the plan at the plenary session on the 18th. The scope of the investigation will include the National Election Commission and regional election commissions, with the chairmanship proposed for the People Power Party and an equal number of members from both parties.

Furthermore, National Assembly Speaker Choong Sik and other political figures are scheduled to attend the 49th Jeju Forum of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry next month to engage with the domestic business community. This marks the first time the National Assembly Speaker will attend the KCCI Forum, which is expected to serve as an opportunity to listen to the business community's perspectives on legislative issues related to support for high-tech industries and deregulation, and to share the government's economic policy direction for the latter half of the year. Key officials, including former Deputy Prime Minister Gu Yoon-cheol and Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jeong-kwan, are also expected to attend, facilitating discussions on pressing economic matters.

Key Bill Status and Outlook: Focus on Economy and Livelihoods

Currently, various bills are pending or awaiting deliberation in the National Assembly. Bills focusing on economic revitalization and stabilizing people's livelihoods are drawing particular attention. Legislative proposals being prepared by Rep. Kim Jong-hyun of the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, aimed at resolving inequality and establishing fair market order, are expected to set the direction for future economic policies. Additionally, legislative efforts to improve the education system continue, such as the 'Fairness Enhancement Act for University Admissions' in which Rep. Jang Min-young is participating. Reps. Lee Jong-gyu and Chae Dong-wan, assigned to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, are expected to concentrate on deliberating bills to ensure transparency and fairness in prosecutorial reform and the judicial system as a whole. In particular, the proposed amendment to laws related to 'Constitutional Interpretation on the Dissolution of Unconstitutional Parties,' which Rep. Chae Dong-wan has expressed support for, could spark constitutional debates.

These legislative discussions face the challenge of overcoming the low approval rate in the first half of the 22nd National Assembly and achieving tangible policy outcomes. The smooth progression of negotiations for the second-half committee leadership will be a critical factor determining the pace and efficiency of future legislative activities. If constructive dialogue and cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties proceed smoothly, there is a possibility for swift processing of bills aimed at economic recovery for the people. The National Assembly Speaker's attendance at the economic forum and the participation of key officials signal the government and the National Assembly's commitment to pursuing policies based on close communication regarding economic issues. The focus is now on whether specific legislative proposals for supporting high-tech industries, deregulating businesses, and resolving inequality will be discussed and ultimately implemented as practical policies.

The legislative activities of the National Assembly lay the foundation for policies directly impacting the lives of citizens. The processing of bills, particularly in the economic and livelihood sectors, has a direct bearing on the sustainable growth of the national economy and the improvement of citizens' quality of life. The 22nd National Assembly bears the significant responsibility of overcoming the limitations of its low legislative output and delivering tangible policy results. It is anticipated that the National Assembly will engage in legislative activities that meet the expectations of the people through constructive discussions and cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties.