'Temporary Closure Ends' National Assembly Normalizes Today... Processing COVID-19 Three Acts, etc.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] The National Assembly, which had been temporarily closed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), reopened on the 26th.

The National Assembly Secretariat announced in a press release the day before, "The National Assembly buildings, including the main building and the members' office building, will resume normal functions from 9 a.m. on the 26th as originally scheduled." After the disinfection work was completed and all members, aides, and party officials of the United Future Party who had been in the same space as confirmed COVID-19 cases during National Assembly events tested negative, it was decided to resume the National Assembly schedule.

Accordingly, the National Assembly will hold a plenary session at 2 p.m. on the same day to process the 'COVID-19 Three Acts' (amendments to the Quarantine Act, Medical Service Act, and Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act).

These bills, which passed the National Assembly standing committee on the 20th, include provisions allowing punishment for those suspected of infection who refuse testing and allowing the Minister of Health and Welfare to request the Minister of Justice to ban entry of foreigners coming from areas of concern for infectious disease outbreaks (including transit).

The National Assembly will also form a Special Committee on COVID-19 Measures during this plenary session and put to a vote the appointment consent for Supreme Court nominee No Tae-ak. The chairs of the Education Committee and the Intelligence Committee will also be elected. Hong Moon-pyo of the United Future Party is expected to serve as the Education Committee chair, and Kim Min-gi of the Democratic Party of Korea as the Intelligence Committee chair.

The government questioning session, which was supposed to begin on the 24th, has been postponed to June 2-4. The plenary session on the 5th will be held as scheduled.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.