Jung vows ruling party will take all committee chairs

Mar 23, 2026, 09:09 am

		0
Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, spoke during a party lawmakers’ meeting at the National Assembly on March 22. /Song Eui-joo

Jung Chung-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on March 22 that the ruling party would take full responsibility for all standing committee chair positions in the second half of the National Assembly, sharply criticizing the opposition for non-cooperation.

Speaking at a party lawmakers’ meeting, Jung accused the People Power Party of obstructing parliamentary operations, saying key committees led by the opposition were not functioning despite a backlog of livelihood-related bills.

“We will take 100% responsibility for forming the Assembly in the second half,” Jung said.

He pointed to the U.S. system, where the majority party controls all committee chairs, arguing that swift decision-making is essential in an increasingly complex global environment.

“There is a golden time for everything, and missing it causes serious harm to the public,” he said.

Jung also invoked the principle of “no work, no pay,” adding, “If the People Power Party refuses to work, they should neither be paid nor seek committee chair positions.”

The Democratic Party plans to begin internal procedures, including leadership elections, to secure control over the Assembly’s structure. Jung emphasized that the election of the National Assembly speaker should come first and said the party would not delay internal votes despite the upcoming June 3 local elections.

He also said the party would push ahead with a parliamentary investigation into alleged fabricated indictments and pass key reform bills.

In preparation for the local elections, Jung ordered a full-scale mobilization of party members. He said top party officials would hold on-site leadership meetings three times a week and instructed lawmakers to split their efforts between their own constituencies and other regions.

Senior party leaders will also track lawmakers’ campaign activities, including attendance and time spent in the field, Jung added.

#Jung Chung-rae #Democratic Party #National Assembly #standing committee chairs #filibuster