22nd National Assembly Sets Record with 320 Unilaterally Passed Bills

22nd National Assembly Passes 320 Bills Unilaterally, Setting an All-Time Record: What's Behind It?

The 22nd National Assembly has set an all-time record by unilaterally passing 320 bills since its opening. This is analyzed as a result of a specific party, holding a majority of seats, leading bill processing amidst extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties. Such a method of bill processing is raising concerns that it could lead to a decline in public trust in the National Assembly and deepen political conflict.

'Speedy Process' Amidst Extreme Ruling-Opposition Stalemate... Status of Unilaterally Passed Bills

Since the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, cases of unilateral bill passage have surged, raising questions about the efficiency of parliamentary operations. According to the information provided, a total of 320 bills were voted on and passed unilaterally, without ruling and opposition party consensus, in the 22nd National Assembly. This figure breaks past parliamentary records and carries political significance beyond mere statistics.

This phenomenon primarily occurred in the process where the dominant ruling party unilaterally processed bills. When a specific party secures a majority of seats, there is a tendency for them to frequently pass bills swiftly to push through their policy agenda, without adequately gathering opinions from the opposition. This 'speedy process' may appear to strengthen policy execution in the short term, but in the long run, it can become a factor that amplifies social conflict due to the failure to incorporate the opinions of various stakeholders.

For instance, the 22nd National Assembly saw remarks concerning 'Prime Minister Kim Min-seok,' and President Lee Jae-myung stating, "Prime Minister Kim said that the Lee Jae-myung government was the beginning of a golden age for South Korea after time had passed." The fact that he also said, "The Prime Minister played a significant role in the government's achievements," shows close communication and a commitment to policy promotion between the President and the Prime Minister. However, despite these positive assessments, on the other hand, there is criticism from Representative Jeong Jin-sik, who stated, 'Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik must put a brake on the ruling party's arrogant push for organizing the assembly.' This starkly illustrates the severity of the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties during parliamentary operations.

Furthermore, Hong Joon-pyo's remarks, where the individual serving as 'Daegu Mayor' presented 'state-led airport construction and regional economic revitalization' as campaign pledges and stated, 'The citizens of Daegu are pitiful... Daegu lawmakers are merely factional stooges, not lawmakers,' reveal concerns about internal conflicts and decline within the regional political sphere. These conflicting voices suggest how complex and confrontational the political environment facing the 22nd National Assembly is.

Background and Impact of 'Unilaterally Passed' Bills

The record high of 320 'unilaterally passed' bills in the 22nd National Assembly is interpreted not merely as a political phenomenon stemming from a superior number of seats, but as a result of several complex factors. Firstly, the urgency and importance of policies that the government and ruling party intend to pursue may have been highlighted amidst rapidly changing domestic and international environments. Especially in situations of increasing economic uncertainty and escalating security threats, swift policy decision-making and execution can be recognized as key tasks for national governance.

Secondly, a significant background is that the 22nd National Assembly began with a wider political gap between the ruling and opposition parties compared to previous assemblies. This can be seen as a result of strong distrust and a desire to check the opposing camp. Criticisms such as Representative Han Dong-hoon's "Why are you reporting Samsung and SK investment issues to Kim Eo-jun?" and Representative Lee Jung-hyun's statement, "The President is a constitutional institution, he should refrain from SNS... 'Pig'? That's a term a spokesperson would use," reflect this political tension.

The impact that such a 'unilateral passing' method can cause is multifaceted. On the positive side, core policies can be quickly legislated due to the ruling party's strong drive. For example, President Lee Jae-myung's announcement of 'three mega-projects,' including the 'creation of a second semiconductor cluster in the Honam region,' and his disclosure of the '800 trillion won investment plan for the Southwest Semiconductor Cluster,' suggest that policy promotion aimed at national economic revitalization and balanced regional development can be accelerated. Additionally, the directive to 'lift the public sector vehicle mileage restriction' can contribute to improving public convenience and vitalizing economic activities.

However, negative aspects may be more prominently highlighted. If a party with a majority of seats forces bills through, ignoring opposition or minority opinions, it can undermine social integration and deepen political polarization. Furthermore, bills passed without sufficient deliberation processes cannot be ruled out from causing unforeseen side effects or becoming embroiled in constitutional controversies. Although the word 'shocking' is prohibited, bills unilaterally processed without national consensus or agreement can provoke backlash from society and weaken the momentum of state governance.

In reality, President Lee Jae-myung's remarks emphasizing balanced development, stating, "Mentioning regional discrimination in Honam investment... when looking at cumulative comparisons, it's a drop in the bucket," show the disagreements and controversies that can arise during investment or policy-making processes for specific regions. If policies are unilaterally pursued without a process to mediate these disagreements, it can become a spark for conflict between regions and social strata. Also, while the confirmation of the policy to support all applicants for the 'Youth Future Savings Account' even if they exceed expectations is a positive policy example, not all bills are processed as smoothly as this.

Future Outlook: Restoring Deliberation and Consensus is Key

The increase in 'unilaterally passed' bills in the 22nd National Assembly can be interpreted as an indicator revealing a chronic ailment of Korean politics, beyond a mere change in parliamentary operating methods. For the National Assembly to function normally and regain public trust in the future, the following challenges need to be addressed.

First, responsible attitudes from the majority party and constructive participation from the minority opposition must be harmonized. The majority party, based on its superior seat count, should refrain from unilateral bill processing and make efforts to listen to the minority party's opinions and find common ground. In a National Assembly where the value of 'cooperation' has collapsed, 'unilateral passage' will ultimately only be recorded as another form of 'reckless pursuit.'

Second, the core functions of the National Assembly, the processes of 'deliberation' and 'debate,' must be strengthened. If bills concerning complex and important social issues are hastily processed without sufficient discussion and review, they can cause unforeseen side effects or fail to gain national consensus. For large-scale national policy initiatives like the 'three mega-projects,' a process for deriving broader social consensus is essential.

Third, efforts are needed to restore public trust in the political sphere as a whole. Remarks such as Representative Hong Joon-pyo's "The citizens of Daegu are pitiful... Daegu lawmakers are merely factional stooges, not lawmakers," and President Lee Jae-myung's statements regarding Representative Kim Min-seok, clearly demonstrate internal distrust and conflict within the political sphere. If this distrust is not resolved, no matter how good a policy is, it will be difficult to gain public support.

In conclusion, the record of 320 'unilaterally passed' bills by the 22nd National Assembly should be taken as a warning sign. It remains to be seen whether the ruling and opposition parties can demonstrate the spirit of dialogue and compromise during the remainder of the Assembly's term and show respect for the deliberation and consensus processes, which are fundamental principles of democracy. If these efforts are insufficient, the stigma of 'unilateral passage' will deepen, leading to a decline in the credibility of the entire National Assembly.