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Lawmakers from the People Power Party, including floor leader Song Eon-seok, chant slogans during a rally on the steps of the National Assembly on August 27, protesting what they called the Democratic Party’s “reckless parliamentary overreach.” / Source: Yonhap News

The ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) and the Rebuilding Korea Party condemned the People Power Party (PPP) on August 27 for boycotting a meeting of the National Assembly’s Gender Equality and Family Committee, calling it an “irresponsible act of abandoning parliamentary duty.”

In a joint statement titled “Strong condemnation of the PPP’s irresponsible boycott,” lawmakers from the two parties accused PPP members, including committee chair Rep. Lee In-sun, of dereliction of duty. “We strongly denounce the shameless behavior of Chair Lee and PPP members of the committee,” they said. “This plenary session was meant to adopt a hearing schedule for the ministerial nominee, a crucial step to normalize the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, which had been left without leadership for years under the previous administration.”

The statement noted that the agenda also included the 2024 fiscal year settlement and major bills affecting public safety and vulnerable groups, such as amendments to the Act on the Protection of Children and Juveniles from Sexual Abuse and the Stalking Prevention Act. “Nevertheless, the PPP irresponsibly turned its back, abandoning the National Assembly’s duties and responsibilities,” the lawmakers said, demanding an apology from Lee and the immediate convening of the committee.

The boycott followed the defeat earlier that day of PPP-backed nominees for the National Human Rights Commission, after the DPK used its majority to reject their appointments. In response, the PPP announced a full-scale boycott of all standing committee schedules, including the powerful Special Committee on Budget and Accounts. The Gender Equality and Family Committee meeting was consequently adjourned almost immediately after it opened.