Coalition Stagnation Amid Political Strife

The second-half session of the 22nd National Assembly's coalition formation talks has stalled for nearly a month, leaving the legislature to function as a 'split parliament.' The Democratic Party of Korea is operating standing committees independently without the People Power Party, while the latter refuses participation demanding renewed negotiations. Both parties blame each other for the dysfunction, causing the legislature to lose its core legislative capabilities. Recently, three standing committees held full sessions without the People Power Party, advancing government reports, committee chair selections, and subcommittee formations. The standing committees are traditionally spaces for bipartisan debate and policy refinement, but ongoing sessions without one party risk eroding their deliberative functions. The Democratic Party claims the People Power Party has self-exiled from the legislature, arguing as the majority party they cannot halt proceedings indefinitely. However, the People Power Party disputes this, citing clashes over the legal affairs committee chairmanship as the root cause. The broader issue is these power struggles escalating beyond partisan disputes, risking systemic legislative paralysis as standing committees continue to operate unilaterally. The National Assembly remains gridlocked over coalition formation, with both parties condemning each other's actions while critical citizen issues are sidelined.