Domestic Political Strife Overshadows Diplomatic Triumphs?

Despite President Lee Jae-myung's recent string of diplomatic successes, analysis suggests that the fierce political debate surrounding the National Stability Act is overshadowing these achievements.

The National Stability Act is designed to support stable government administration, but stark differences of opinion exist between the ruling and opposition parties regarding its necessity.

National Stability Act Faces Internal Opposition within the Democratic Party

On November 3rd, Democratic Party Spokesperson Park Soo-hyun announced that the party leadership, following a meeting, decided not to pursue the National Stability Act. This decision is interpreted as stemming from the assessment that the National Stability Act controversy is destabilizing the political landscape, despite notable diplomatic achievements such as strengthened economic cooperation secured through President Lee Jae-myung's recent overseas trips.

This decision suggests significant internal opposition within the Democratic Party regarding the National Stability Act. Concerns have been raised that the bill could excessively strengthen governmental power and infringe upon civil liberties.

Spokesperson Park Soo-hyun stated, "This is the result of listening to the voices of the people and prioritizing the stability of livelihoods." He added, "We will postpone the National Stability Act and focus on economic recovery and stabilizing people's lives."

Meanwhile, on the same day, it was reported that Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik requested the party to exclude the Trial Suspension Act, which centers on halting criminal trials against the incumbent president based on Article 84 of the Constitution, from the judicial reform package. Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, citing the opinions of numerous constitutional scholars, emphasized the inevitability of suspending the president's trial.

People Power Party Lambasts Democratic Party's Reversal

The People Power Party immediately reacted to the Democratic Party's withdrawal of the National Stability Act. People Power Party Spokesperson Park Sung-hoon strongly criticized the Democratic Party's reversal on the National Stability Act and urged President Lee Jae-myung to resume his trial immediately.

Spokesperson Park stated, "The Democratic Party's withdrawal of the National Stability Act in response to public backlash is a clear trick." He insisted, "President Lee Jae-myung must diligently participate in the trial immediately." He further added, "The National Stability Act was merely a means to evade the president's judicial risks."

With the ruling and opposition parties in sharp conflict, the political turmoil that had subsided somewhat after the National Assembly audit is showing signs of reigniting. Some within the political sphere are raising concerns that this situation could further intensify the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties ahead of next year's general election.

Successive Investigations of Key Figures Increase Political Instability

The recent wave of investigations into key figures is exacerbating political instability. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit has imposed a travel ban on Kang Ho-dong, Chairman of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, and is investigating him on suspicion of accepting bribes worth over 100 million won. In addition, the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Financial Crime Investigation Unit is investigating HYBE Chairman Bang Si-hyuk for alleged violations of the Capital Markets Act, and the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Public Crime Investigation Unit is reportedly investigating People Power Party Representative Kwon Young-se for alleged violations of the Public Official Election Act, having received a referral from the National Election Commission.

The continuous stream of investigation news is increasing tension throughout the political sphere and is acting as a factor that deepens political deadlock by providing ammunition for attacks between the ruling and opposition parties. In particular, analysts suggest that the Kwon Young-se case could lead to a sharp confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties ahead of next year's general election.

One political commentator stated, "With the recent wave of investigations into key figures, the political sphere has become extremely sensitive." He predicted, "Mistrust between the ruling and opposition parties is deepening, and the possibility of intensified political strife is high."

Mocking Photo of Supreme Court Chief Justice Emerges Amidst 'Low-Quality Audit' Controversy

Amidst criticism that this year's National Assembly audit is "low-quality" and "the worst," independent Representative Choi Hyuk-jin sparked controversy by bringing a composite photo of Supreme Court Chief Justice Cho Hee-dae likened to Toyotomi Hideyoshi into the meeting room.

Representative Choi Hyuk-jin's actions have been criticized for degrading the quality of the National Assembly audit, and voices of self-reflection are emerging from within the political sphere. Some are even calling for disciplinary action against Representative Choi Hyuk-jin.

The National Assembly Ethics Committee is reviewing whether to take disciplinary action against Representative Choi Hyuk-jin's actions and is expected to decide on the level of discipline soon.

These series of events clearly demonstrate that, despite the Lee Jae-myung administration's diplomatic achievements, the domestic political situation remains unstable, and the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties is deepening. The National Stability Act controversy, investigations of key figures, and the dysfunctional National Assembly audit are all contributing factors that could prolong political instability.