Kim Tae-nyeon: "If Mirae Hanguk Party Forms a Negotiation Group, No Standing Committee Chair Will Be Assigned"

Decision on Standing Committee Chairpersons under the National Assembly Act by Plenary Majority Vote, 'Inter-Party Compromise' as 'Precedent'

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, warned that if the Future Korea Party attempts to form a separate negotiation group, they will not be assigned any standing committee chair positions.

On the morning of the 11th, Kim appeared on tbs radio and responded to a question about the Future Korea Party's movement to avoid merging with the United Future Party by saying, "During the general election, the public thought it was the United Future Party and voted for the Korea Party. But now, trying to carry a different agenda seems like cheating. We have little reason to acknowledge that."

When asked if this meant that they might withhold assigning a standing committee chair position, which is usually given, Kim said, "That is exactly what it means," adding, "They will only receive criticism without any benefit."

The standing committee chair positions have been decided through party negotiations since the 13th National Assembly. However, before the 12th National Assembly, the ruling party monopolized these positions, and the distribution of chair positions through party negotiation is a 'custom' without separate legislation. Given that the Democratic Party holds 180 seats in the 21st National Assembly, it is analyzed that the authority to allocate each standing committee chair effectively lies with the Democratic Party. According to the National Assembly Act, standing committee chairs are elected by secret ballot among the members of the respective committee during a plenary session, requiring a majority of the members present and a majority vote.

Kim also announced plans to push for amendments to the National Assembly Act to create a "working National Assembly." He said, "The Legislative and Judiciary Committee, which has been chaired by the opposition, sometimes abuses its authority over structural and wording amendments," adding, "Since the review of structural and wording amendments is a technical matter, it would not be a big problem if it were conducted by legal experts outside the National Assembly within each standing committee." He further emphasized, "If members boycott or disrupt the National Assembly by going outside, penalties will be imposed," noting, "In foreign cases, there are countries that reduce salaries or even prohibit attendance if unauthorized absences are repeated."

Meanwhile, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim urged the passage of legislation to strengthen quarantine and social safety nets within the term of the 20th National Assembly. The last plenary session of the April extraordinary session is expected to be held on the 15th.

Kim said, "In President Moon Jae-in's third anniversary national address yesterday, I saw his desperate will to overcome the national crisis and his confidence in turning the crisis into an opportunity," adding, "We are in a situation where we cannot predict how severe the economic crisis wave will be. The National Assembly must fulfill its role."

He continued, "There is no time to wait until the 21st National Assembly. First, legislation to strengthen the quarantine system is necessary," stating, "The Government Organization Act must be amended to upgrade the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and introduce a multiple vice-minister system. The Public Medical School Act, Immigration Control Act, and School Health Act must also be revised to make the quarantine system more thorough."

He added, "Second, legislation to strengthen the social safety net is necessary," expressing hope for a bold agreement in today's Environment and Labor Committee. He said, "A revolutionary expansion of employment insurance and the implementation of the National Employment System require the passage of the Employment Labor Act and the Job Promotion Act."

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