22nd National Assembly begins regular session with belated opening ceremony

Lawmakers take an oath at the main chamber of the National Assembly in Seoul during the opening ceremony for the 22nd Assembly, Monday. Yonhap

The 22nd National Assembly’s first regular session began with a belated opening ceremony, Monday, nearly three months after it was launched, due to a protracted standoff between rival parties.

Although the ruling and opposition parties managed to hold the ceremony and pledged cooperation, their clashes over contentious political issues are likely to persist, as evidenced by President Yoon Suk Yeol's absence in protest of the opposition's ongoing attempts to launch special counsel probes into ruling bloc figures.

The ceremony, originally scheduled for July 5 following the start of the 22nd Assembly's term on May 30, was delayed indefinitely after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted it in protest of the opposition's passage of a special counsel probe bill related to a Marine’s death and a hearing on Yoon’s impeachment petition. However, last Monday, the rival parties agreed to hold the event alongside the 22nd Assembly's first regular session.

Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik urged both the ruling and opposition parties to collaborate on resolving long-standing issues related to the public's welfare.

“First, we should prioritize the people's livelihood. Second, we must tackle long-standing issues such as constitutional amendments, political reforms, and pension overhaul. Third, we need to chart a new course for the future, addressing the climate and population crises,” Woo said during the opening ceremony.

Contrary to Woo's call for cooperation, conflicts between the ruling and opposition blocs are unlikely to be resolved. Yoon's absence from the opening ceremony marked the first time an incumbent president has missed the Assembly's opening since 1987 when the Constitution was amended to establish the current government system.

The presidential office announced Yoon's boycott, Sunday, citing the opposition party’s unilateral actions in passing controversial bills.

“Normalizing the Assembly, which has been abusing its power to advance special counsel and impeachment procedures, should take precedence before inviting the president,” a senior official at the presidential office said.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) condemned Yoon for skipping the event.

“No matter how intense partisan conflicts have been, an incumbent president has always attended the National Assembly’s opening ceremony. Yoon’s absence reflects his arrogant and self-righteous attitude, as if he wants to isolate himself. We express deep regret over his refusal to accept the people’s and the Assembly’s invitation,” said Rep. Jo Seoung-lae, spokesperson for the DPK.

Lawmakers pose in front of the main building of the National Assembly in Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

The 100-day regular session is anticipated to be marked by significant political clashes over several contentious bills, including legislation for distributing 250,000 won ($186) worth of cash vouchers per person, four broadcasting bills aimed at reducing government control over public broadcasters, and a pro-labor bill that would limit the ability of companies to seek compensation from unions that stage strikes.

The DPK plans to railroad pending bills at a plenary meeting set for Sept. 26.

The ruling and opposition parties are also expected to clash vigorously over a special counsel probe bill that would permit a third party, such as the chief justice of the Supreme Court, to investigate the military’s response to a Marine’s death last year and the first lady’s luxury bag scandal.

The PPP pledged to seek common ground with opposition parties on issues related to the public's livelihood.

“The 100-day session begins today. Although the ruling and opposition parties have taken divergent stances on various issues, we must now focus on addressing eight policy pledges agreed between rival party leaders at yesterday’s meeting,” Rep. Shin Dong-wook, spokesperson of the PPP, said.

The rival party leaders held their first official talks on Sunday and reached a rare bipartisan agreement on a set of livelihood-related issues. However, they were unable to come to terms on several key agendas.

Despite the confrontational issues, the rival parties will address other major tasks. They will question ministers on political, diplomatic, economic, and social issues during a four-day interpellation session from next Monday to Thursday.

The floor leaders of the rival parties will also deliver speeches to parliament, with Rep. Park Chan-dae of the DPK speaking on Wednesday and Rep. Choo Kyung-ho of the PPP addressing the chamber on Thursday. A parliamentary audit of state agencies is scheduled from Oct. 7 to 25.

The rival parties are expected to clash over the government’s 2025 budget proposal of 677 trillion won, a 3.2 percent hike from the previous year, with the DPK calling for massive cuts.