The Democratic Party-controlled National Assembly elected chiefs of 11 parliamentary committees on June 30, prompting a boycott from the main opposition People Power Party.
The rival parties failed to reach an agreement on committee formation for the second half of the Assembly term. The Democratic Party used its 161-seat majority to unilaterally elect the 11 committee chiefs, including the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee.
People Power Party floor leader Rep. Jeong Jeom-sig told reporters that "checks and balances would be undermined" unless his party chairs the Judiciary Committee. DP floor leader Han Byung-do and Jeong held last-minute talks that ended without compromise.
Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik appointed committee members unilaterally, drawing a protest document from the PPP. Selection of chairs for the remaining seven committees is also expected to face difficulties.
