Chairman Cho Jung-sik's Constitutional Amendment Push: Amid Parliamentary Gridlock, Only Livelihood Legislation Should Take Priority

Idle Parliament: Livelihood Legislation More Urgent Than Constitutional Debate

Floor Leader Cho Jung-sik of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), marking the 78th Constitution Day, officially declared a push to draft a "people-sovereign" constitutional amendment by 2027 and finalize it within the 22nd National Assembly. However, criticism has arisen that he is completely out of touch with the reality of politics, where even standing committees are struggling to function properly. This is because the ruling and opposition parties continue their political standoff, leaving even the plenary session hall—the primary venue for dialogue—empty. The People Power Party (PPP) strongly criticized Cho, arguing that the National Assembly Speaker must immediately stop acting as a "bodyguard" serving only the ruling party's interests before raising grand themes like constitutional amendment.

The extreme partisan logic of the political circle has completely paralyzed the function of the Assembly. The major opposition parties are strongly pushing for the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act, including the independent counsel bills, as key agendas for the extraordinary session. In particular, as the controversy over abolishing the prosecution's direct investigation powers has intensified since the inauguration of the current administration, the voices of complete abolitionists—such as Rep. Lee Geon-tae—are gaining traction within the party. Conversely, the ruling party defines the passage of such bills as a dangerous attempt to undermine the foundations of the national judicial system and is thoroughly opposing them. There is no sign of a narrowing gap between the two sides.

Legislative Gridlock Caused by Independent Counsel and Criminal Procedure Act Revisions

The biggest obstacle blocking the normalization of the National Assembly is the various independent counsel bills led by the opposition, including the Rebuilding Korea Party. RPK members of the Judiciary Committee, led by Reps. Ahn Jung-hoon and Park Jae-ha, are aggressively pushing for the passage of the Sergeant Chae independent counsel bill within the year and the promotion of the Kim Gun-hee independent counsel bill, citing them as campaign pledges. Coupled with attempts to revise the Criminal Procedure Act to separate investigation and indictment powers, the entire legal and political circles are under extreme tension. Rep. Jang Dong-hyun's surprise move to prioritize a "people's independent counsel," which led to his absence from the Constitution Day event and the use of a megaphone to make his remarks, is also creating political ripples.

The empty seats in the National Assembly plenary hall signify more than a simple political standoff; they mean that citizens' taxes are being wasted and the nation's economic drive is being lost.

This political chaos directly and negatively impacts the investment market and the macroeconomy. It is causing delays in urgently needed economic response measures that should be discussed in the ruling-opposition consultative body on people's livelihoods, especially amidst the geopolitical crisis originating in the Middle East. While President Lee Jae-myung chairs the National Fiscal Strategy Meeting, emphasizing efficient fiscal spending, and seeks market stabilization measures through a comprehensive real estate forum on the 23rd, policies without legislative backing may end up being mere hollow echoes. The uncertainty damaging the corporate investment environment ultimately acts as a primary culprit increasing stock market volatility.

Political Landscape Ahead of Elections and the Future of the National Assembly

Behind this legislative gridlock lie intense interests linked to intra-party primaries and the next power struggle. Ahead of the DPK's national convention, key presidential contenders such as former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok and former Chairman Jeong Cheong-rae are at sharp odds over the abolition of complementary investigation rights and a merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party. Public opinion is also divided regarding former Prime Minister Kim, who is riding a rising tide in support polls, recording a 15.7% suitability rating for the next presidential candidate. The election heat is even showing signs of overheating, with Kwak Sang-eon, the son-in-law of the late former President Roh Moo-hyun, publicly dismissing the "loyalty argument" for former Prime Minister Kim.

The National Assembly is not a stage for political shows but the final bastion for deliberating budget bills and economic bills directly linked to the survival of the people. If the leadership of both parties focus solely on factional fights, conscious of their own political interests and the next election, national finance will lose sustainability and market trust will plummet to the ground. Before using independent counsel bills and prosecutorial reform as political weapons, the ruling and opposition parties must find a rational compromise that can quell market anxiety. The political circle must face the grim reality that without the prompt normalization of the Assembly, no economic stimulus or real estate measures will be effective.