A four-day interpellation session kicked off Wednesday as parties clash over issues including a proposed constitutional amendment, President Lee Jae Myung's Cabinet picks and judicial reform.
In the first session, 11 lawmakers were set to question Prime Minister Han Seong-sook, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, acting Justice Minister Lee Jin-soo and Interior Minister Yun Ho-jung.
Ruling Democratic Party of Korea chair Rep. Kim Min-seok also floated what he described as a realistic amendment to the Constitution that reflects public demand.
In a speech to the National Assembly Monday, Kim said his party would push to enshrine historical democratic movements in the Constitution, and to restructure the nation's power structures "to the extent desired by people."
Amending the Constitution is a top policy agenda of President Lee Jae Myung and his administration, which seeks to strengthen constitutional checks on presidential power and allow presidents to serve two four-year terms, with reelection taking place as a referendum on the sitting president's performance.
The main opposition People Power Party has vowed to resist any attempts to revise the Constitution during Lee's five-year term; floor leader Rep. Jeong Jeom-sik said the party would "never cooperate with the forces that seek personal benefit through an amendment."
Responding to an inquiry from Democratic Party Rep. Lee Hae-sik during the interpellation session, Prime Minister Han ruled out the possibility that the proposed constitutional amendment could allow Lee to serve multiple terms.
According to Han, the administration has already "clarified its stance" that Lee would not be serving a second term.
The People Power Party argues that a clause in the current Constitution that states no amendment concerning presidential term limits would apply to an incumbent president could also be the subject of an amendment.
Han also said that the liberal administration will "proactively support" the parliament's move to swiftly amend the Constitution in areas that reached a bipartisan compromise, such as the enshrinement of democratic movements.
The feasibility of the liberal bloc-led criminal justice system overhaul will likely also be a point of contention.
The People Power Party claims that the reform drive is a retaliation against the prosecution, as several Democratic Party politicians, including the incumbent president, have been under investigation, and that proposed measures will weaken the criminal justice system.
The rival parties have also been at odds over the nomination of new Supreme Court justices. The Democratic Party-controlled National Assembly has passed related bills to carve a separate investigative body out of the prosecution and place it under the Interior Ministry. The remaining body would then be stripped of its investigative power, leaving the new investigative body and police as the only authorities to investigate crimes.
The liberal bloc also faces pressure over ministerial nominees recently announced by Cheong Wa Dae: Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won is under fire for his alleged involvement in a stock manipulation case, while Gender Equality Minister nominee Yong Hye-in has been criticised for her refusal to follow the convention in which a lawmaker who won through proportional representation does not double as a minister and lawmaker.
Following Wednesday's session, a session on foreign policy, unification and national security will be held Thursday; Friday's session will cover the national economy; and Monday will cover education, social affairs and culture.
consnow@heraldcorp.com
