Joo Ho-young on President Moon's 'COVID Measures' Request: "Is Cheong and Ruling Party Ready for Cooperation?"... No Mention of MB and Park Pardons

Joo Ho-young, United Party Floor Leader, Meets with President Moon and Kim Tae-nyeon for Over 2 Hours
Agreed on 'Cooperation' but Differences on Issues
President Moon: "Prompt Parliamentary Organization"... Joo Ho-young: "Depends on Democratic Party's Attitude"
Joo Ho-young Proposes New Political Affairs Minister... President Moon: "Will Consider"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] On the 27th, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, held his first 'three-party meeting' since taking office with President Moon Jae-in and Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, pledging cooperation.

President Moon requested the opposition party's cooperation on the National Assembly's swift response to the 'COVID-19 crisis,' the third supplementary budget bill (supplementary budget), the organization of the National Assembly, and the appointment of the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Floor leader Joo emphasized, "We are ready to cooperate." While they agreed on cooperation, they also revealed differences on various issues.

Floor leader Joo held a press briefing at the National Assembly around 5 p.m. that day, stating, "President Moon spoke about win-win cooperation." Earlier, floor leader Joo had a meeting with President Moon and floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon from noon for 2 hours and 36 minutes.

Floor leader Joo said, "President Moon asked for swift measures and cooperation from the National Assembly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis," adding, "We are also ready for win-win cooperation. If the opposition is considered a true partner in state affairs, we said we would help." He continued, "As the saying goes, even a good judgment is worse than a bad reconciliation. Even if it takes time, if we pursue win-win and cooperation, the completeness and execution power of policies improve, and conflicts decrease." He added, "If the Blue House and the ruling party are prepared and willing to engage in win-win cooperation, we will actively cooperate."

This is interpreted as a protest against the ruling party's recent strong stance on the 21st National Assembly organization negotiations, declaring they want to hold all 18 standing committee chair positions. At the beginning of the meeting, floor leader Joo discussed the National Assembly opening negotiations with floor leader Kim for about 30 minutes, and President Moon also gave his opinion. Floor leader Kim advocated for a working National Assembly, proposing that standing committees automatically open after a certain period and suggested abolishing the Legislative and Judiciary Committee's system review, according to floor leader Joo.

Regarding the organization of the National Assembly, President Moon expressed his hope that "it will be done quickly and promptly," floor leader Joo said. In response, floor leader Joo explained, "The organization process involves electing the Speaker and standing committee chairs and passing resolutions. Once the Speaker is elected, the Speaker can forcibly assign positions." He added, "From the opposition's perspective, there is concern that the Speaker might not be elected due to fears of forced assignments." He emphasized, "If the negotiation on standing committee chair assignments reaches an agreement, everything can be kept. The public loses trust because different statements are made whenever the ruling and opposition parties change their positions. This depends on the Democratic Party's attitude."

President Moon emphasized expansionary fiscal policy and timely response at this meeting. Floor leader Joo requested, "Can the public accept a situation where supplementary budgets are made three times a year? If necessary, please clearly show the public which items require funds, what the effects are, and what the funding measures are." President Moon responded that he would inform the public in detail through the submission of the supplementary budget bill to the National Assembly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Floor leader Joo also expressed the position that the government's ongoing 'reshoring' efforts require deregulation and maintenance of employment flexibility. He said, "President Moon agreed on that point." Regarding security, floor leader Joo conveyed, "We need to reassure that South Korea's safety is firmly guaranteed before opening up, dialogue, and exchanges with North Korea, but the public and opposition are concerned." President Moon explained, "North Korea has nuclear weapons, so we either maintain a balance of terror by having nuclear weapons ourselves or find a way to denuclearize together. However, due to international conflicts, this is not possible, so we cover it with overwhelming conventional forces," floor leader Joo reported.

Floor leader Joo requested that the construction of Shin Hanul Units 3 and 4 proceed to ensure a smooth transition of energy policy. However, President Moon expressed a differing view, saying, "Our country's energy demand is currently at its peak, and the electricity reserve rate exceeds 30%, so additional nuclear power plant construction is unnecessary." Regarding local difficulties or Doosan Heavy Industries' challenges, President Moon said, "We are managing them separately to prevent damage," floor leader Joo said.

President Moon requested the prompt appointment of the CIO head and the revision of the Personnel Hearing Act upon the opening of the National Assembly. Floor leader Joo pointed out procedural issues with the CIO Act's passage, responding, "Requesting this without proper revision of the personnel hearing system itself means it is hasty." He added, "The two CIO head recommendation committee members appointed by the opposition have veto power granted by the Democratic Party to the opposition, so if these two oppose, the CIO head cannot be appointed arbitrarily," emphasizing this repeatedly. Floor leader Joo said that President Moon and floor leader Kim also stated, "If the two opposition-appointed members oppose, appointment is difficult."

Regarding the criticism by grandmother Lee Yong-soo toward Democratic Party elected lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, floor leader Joo pointed out at the meeting, "This issue arose because the grandmothers' positions on compensation were not properly reflected." He said, "There was an agreement on compensation during the previous administration, but this administration has nullified the agreement and done nothing, so the Constitutional Court's unconstitutional status continues," he told President Moon.

Additionally, floor leader Joo requested a tuition reduction for university students attending online classes due to COVID-19, and President Moon expressed that he felt burdened by the government making a blanket decision. Regarding the revival of the Minister of Political Affairs Office proposed by floor leader Joo, President Moon said he would "consider it."

He did not make a separate request for the pardon of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, which had attracted attention. Floor leader Joo said, "Although it was not formally raised, I spoke about creating an environment for national unity and cooperation," adding, "Especially regarding the clearing of past evils, it is concerning that harsh measures are taken against the opposing side while being lenient with one's own side, which does not align with the general public's sense of justice."

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