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Rep. Park Chan-dae (left) and Rep. Jung Chung-rae, both candidates in the Democratic Party leadership race, meet with local party members during the weekend. Park speaks at a talk concert at Jeonju University on July 5, while Jung attends a book event in Gwangju on July 6. / Source: Yonhap News

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), now the ruling party, is pushing ahead with a high-speed legislative campaign in July following the recent passage of a ₩32 trillion supplementary budget and amendments to the Commercial Act. The party plans to prioritize bills previously vetoed by former President Yoon Suk-yeol, as well as around 40 major legislative proposals aligned with bipartisan welfare agendas and campaign promises.

A top priority is the revised Commercial Act, particularly clauses concerning directors’ fiduciary duties to shareholders. While some provisions have already passed, items such as cumulative voting and the separation of auditor appointments require further debate. The DPK plans to hold public hearings and discussions on provisions related to embezzlement penalties and auditor selection before proceeding.

The controversial "broadcasting reform bills" — which include amendments to the Broadcasting Act, the Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and the EBS Act — are also on the fast track. These would increase the number of board members at KBS, MBC’s largest shareholder, and EBS, while diversifying the recommending entities and assigning 40% of board appointments to the National Assembly.

The People Power Party (PPP) fiercely opposes these bills, warning they could permanently hand control of public broadcasting to the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU). Rep. Kim Hyun of the ruling party, a member of the National Assembly's Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, said, “We’ll convene a committee-wide meeting as soon as possible to refer the bills to the Judiciary Committee for passage in the July plenary session.”

The Yellow Envelope Act — which limits companies’ ability to seek compensation from striking workers — was one of President Lee Jae-myung’s signature campaign pledges. But now in power, the DPK is also weighing calls for moderation, with concerns that the law may inadvertently encourage labor disputes or illegal strikes. The KCTU is pressuring for swift passage and the repeal of union financial disclosure rules implemented under the Yoon administration, and is considering a general strike.

The party also aims to pass four major agricultural bills before the fall harvest, including the Grain Management Act, which mandates government purchase of surplus rice. Supporters argue the bill is crucial for securing food security and stabilizing farm income, while critics call it unnecessary and costly, citing declining rice consumption and potential inequity with other crops.

Additional legislative items include the Local Education Subsidy Act — aimed at restoring free high school education — and amendments to allow AI textbooks as official supplementary materials. These bills are also expected to face friction with opposition parties.

The administration is also fast-tracking legislation for prosecutorial reform. President Lee has called for a strict separation of investigation and prosecution functions via the creation of a Public Prosecution Office and a separate Investigation Office. However, Justice Minister nominee Chung Sung-ho has stated that while he supports separating functions, dismantling the prosecution service is “inappropriate.”

In response to internal rifts within the progressive camp, President Lee recently remarked at a press conference, “There seems to be consensus that no single entity should hold both investigation and prosecution powers,” suggesting the reform framework could be in place by Chuseok.

Meanwhile, the DPK plans to finalize confirmation hearings for Lee’s cabinet nominees this month. Hearings are scheduled for:

• July 14: Kang Sun-hoo (Minister of Gender Equality and Family)

• July 15: Kim Sung-hwan (Minister of Environment), Han Sung-sook (Minister of SMEs and Startups), Kwon Oh-eul (Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs)

• July 16: Kim Young-hoon (Minister of Employment and Labor)