Seoul: A parliamentary special committee to fast-track legislation on South Korea's investment pledges to the United States opened its first meeting Thursday but was halted shortly after as rival parties clashed over unrelated judicial reform bills approved a day earlier.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ruling Democratic Party (DP) and the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) had previously agreed to form the committee to handle a special bill that would fulfill Seoul's investment commitments to the U.S. This was part of a trade deal finalized last year, following tariff actions by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump, in an online post last month, had threatened to increase reciprocal tariffs on South Korean goods back to 25 percent from 15 percent, citing delays in the legislative process needed to advance the trade deal.
The initial meeting of the committee was disrupted shortly after electing the chair and leadership positions. The discord stemmed from the PPP's objections to the parliamentary legislation and judiciary committee's approval of two bills on Wednesday. These bills would allow for constitutional appeals for cases finalized by the Supreme Court and would increase the number of justices at the top court from the current 14 to 26.
The DP, holding a parliamentary majority, aims to legislate these two bills by the end of the month in a bid to reform the judiciary. PPP Rep. Park Soo-young noted that the PPP had supported forming the special committee for the public's broader interest, although it maintains that the trade agreement needs the National Assembly's ratification. He criticized the DP's actions, stating, "However, bills that are not in the national interest were pushed through at the legislation and judiciary committee yesterday. We cannot understand such a unilateral move and strongly condemn it."
The special committee is scheduled to conclude its mandate on March 9. Speaking to reporters after the halted meeting, PPP Rep. Kim Sang-hoon, the committee chair, stated his intention to ensure the investment bill is voted on before the deadline.