On May 14, Choo Mi Ae, who is the Democratic Party’s representative for Hanam in Gyeonggi Province and a candidate speaker for the first half of the 22nd National Assembly, stated, “The role of the speaker of the National Assembly is to properly rebuke and question on behalf of the people when the president does something wrong, lies in front of the people, hides the truth, or refuses a bill for strange and absurd reasons.”
Choo responded to BBS Radio’s Jeon Young Shin’s Morning Journal question about potential discomfort between the president and the speaker, given their past tensions when she was the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General during the Moon Jae In administration. She said, “I will do my best with my conviction while thinking about the people.” She added, “You shouldn’t see it as coarse or not. Those who hide the truth will always feel uncomfortable.” She argued, “The place to question the truth and responsibility cannot always exchange beautiful words, right?”
She further confirmed her firm stance, “The problem is how to properly manage the national affairs and position the government and the National Assembly. I will treat them gently personally, but there should be words appropriate for the position when speaking.”
When asked whether the situation will help Lee Jae Myung’s presidential race, she answered, “It will help if the National Assembly does its job because this representative is very competent and has legislated many prescriptions for the people’s livelihood.” She also criticized the ruling party for opposing for the sake of opposition. She said, “The previous speakers showed irresponsible politics by avoiding or under the pretext of neutrality while watching the ruling party’s reaction and asking for agreement.” She emphasized, “I will engage in politics that demands accountability. Suppose the law proposed by the party and the majority in the National Assembly is passed efficiently and evolves into a policy that tangibly affects the people. In that case, it will naturally benefit Lee, a strong candidate for the next presidency.”
She also expressed intention to supplement the system, saying, “The balance between the executive and legislative branches does not match well. For example, even if we try to investigate the government’s mistakes and restrain abuse through the power of national investigation, the investigation power itself has only nominal authority.”