President Moon, Ahead of the Opening of the 21st National Assembly, Initiates Cooperation... Focus on Institutionalization

21st National Assembly, Will It Shed the Stigma of 'Late Opening'... Depends on Negotiation Skills of New Floor Leaders Kim Tae-nyeon and Joo Ho-young

President Moon Jae-in [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Son Seon-hee and Jeon Jin-young] A meeting between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties, proposed by President Moon Jae-in, has been abruptly arranged for the 28th, ahead of the opening of the 21st National Assembly. Attention is focused on whether this will lead to the ruling and opposition parties devising a new 'institutional cooperation model.'

According to the Blue House on the 25th, the invitees to the luncheon with President Moon were limited to two individuals: Kim Tae-nyeon of the Democratic Party of Korea and Joo Ho-young of the United Future Party, both floor leaders of negotiation groups. This meeting marks the first time in about 1 year and 7 months since the first 'Ruling and Opposition Parties' Standing Council on State Affairs' on November 5, 2018, that President Moon has met with the floor leaders. In effect, the cooperation model, which had become nominal and ineffective after the first meeting, is being revived ahead of the 21st National Assembly.

In particular, this dialogue is expected to serve as a blueprint for 'institutional cooperation' to be realized in the 21st National Assembly. While the standing council in the 20th National Assembly included five parties, including non-negotiation groups, the composition of the 21st National Assembly has changed significantly, so a cooperation model prioritizing 'substantial legislative achievements' is anticipated.

Regarding this, a senior Blue House official told reporters, "The situation in the National Assembly has changed a lot," adding, "We will discuss and consult with the two floor leaders on how to institutionalize cooperation going forward." He continued, "President Moon has repeatedly expressed his commitment to 'continue efforts' for cooperation," explaining, "Taking into account the changes in the seats of the 21st National Assembly, decisions will be made through dialogue."

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (right), and Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party, are shaking hands at the Democratic Party floor leader's office in the National Assembly on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Blue House is focusing on key legislative tasks such as the third supplementary budget bill containing policy funds to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and a revision bill expanding employment insurance coverage to include special employment workers and platform workers. For this, the National Assembly must open within the legal deadline, and preparations are underway for President Moon's opening speech to the National Assembly in early next month.

However, this is only possible if the ruling and opposition parties complete negotiations on the organization of the 21st National Assembly in a timely manner. The parties are engaged in a power struggle over the chairmanships of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee (Law Committee) and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts (Budget Committee).

Senior deputy floor leaders of the Democratic Party and the United Future Party met the day before to discuss the organization of the 21st National Assembly but failed to narrow their differences. Kim Young-jin, senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party, said, "Based on the overwhelming majority of the ruling party seats, it is necessary for the ruling party to take responsibility for the Law Committee and the Budget Committee." On the other hand, Kim Sung-won, senior deputy floor leader of the United Future Party, put the brakes, saying, "We expect the ruling party to generously consider the minority opposition and make a decisive decision."

However, there is room for negotiation. Since the floor leaders of both parties are about to meet President Moon, there is pressure to demonstrate the spirit of cooperation, and there remains a possibility of reaching an agreement to abolish the Law Committee's authority to review the system and budget (systematic and budgetary review rights). If abolished, the Law Committee's authority would be reduced, diminishing the role of its chairperson. The floor leaders of both parties plan to hold an additional meeting on the 26th to continue negotiations on the organization of the National Assembly.

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