Cheong Draws Line on Employment Flexibility... Possibility of 'Political Affairs Minister Establishment' as First Cooperation Measure

Opposition's COVID-19 Solution: Employment Flexibility "President Moon Cannot Agree"... Cheong Continues Efforts to Keep Cooperation Alive

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Kang Na-hum] The Blue House has drawn a line on the issue of expanding employment flexibility as a solution to the economic crisis. On the 28th, following a luncheon meeting between President Moon Jae-in, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, employment flexibility emerged as a point of interest regarding solutions to the 'COVID-19' situation, but the Blue House cautioned against overinterpretation.

Yoon Do-han, the Blue House Director of Public Communication, appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" on the 29th and said, "The issue of employment flexibility essentially means making layoffs easier," adding, "To conclude, it is not related to overcoming the COVID crisis at all. It does not help overcome the crisis but rather pushes us further into it."

In particular, Yoon emphasized that the President could not agree with the opposition party's call for expanding employment flexibility to revive the economy. This confirmed the gap between the Blue House and the opposition regarding solutions to the COVID-19 economic crisis.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, some interpret the Blue House meeting on the 28th as a preview of the changed political environment coinciding with the start of the 21st National Assembly on the 30th. It is said to be an opportunity to find a new political model of coexistence, where the ruling party restrains unilateral dominance and the opposition participates in meaningful cooperation. The establishment of a Minister of Political Affairs is attracting attention as the so-called 'first step of cooperation.'

Floor leader Joo proposed the creation of the Minister of Political Affairs to President Moon, saying, "During my time as a special minister, the government's legislative passage rate increased fourfold." Kang Min-seok, Blue House spokesperson, explained, "President Moon instructed Chief of Staff Noh Young-min, who was present, to discuss the establishment of the Minister of Political Affairs."

The Minister of Political Affairs position existed until before the Kim Dae-jung administration and was abolished, then revived under the Lee Myung-bak (MB) administration as the 'Special Minister.' Former influential politicians such as Park Cheol-eon, Kim Yun-hwan, and Kim Deok-ryong held the position.

Former lawmaker Lee Jae-oh, known as the second-in-command of the MB government, was also a Special Minister, and floor leader Joo himself served as a Special Minister. From the opposition's perspective, it is burdensome to discuss current issues with the Blue House's Chief of Political Affairs, but discussions with the Minister of Political Affairs, a cabinet member, are relatively freer.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

To establish the Minister of Political Affairs, an amendment to the Government Organization Act is essential. Article 26 of the Government Organization Act specifies the names of administrative departments, but currently, there is no Minister of Political Affairs position. Yoon said, "If the Minister of Political Affairs is established, the government will grow bigger, the budget will increase, and personnel will increase," adding, "Since this proposal came first from the opposition, it is a point to be positively considered."

President Moon's emphasis on cooperation to the ruling party floor leader is also noteworthy. During a walk on the Blue House grounds after the luncheon meeting, President Moon told floor leader Kim, "If the National Assembly opens on time and bills are processed on time, I will carry you on my back."

Earlier, before a commemorative photo at the Blue House's Sangchunjae, floor leader Joo made a pointed joke, saying, "If Leader Kim does well, things will go smoothly, but if you say things like 'we will take all the standing committee chairmanships'..."

This was a warning against the ruling party's mention of monopolizing standing committees ahead of the 21st National Assembly's organization negotiations, which runs counter to cooperation.

Political circles analyze that the Democratic Party's 'monopoly of standing committees' card is a strategy to secure the chairmanship of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee. It is said that if only the contentious standing committees are negotiated, the claim of monopolizing standing committees will be withdrawn. However, if the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over the Judiciary Committee continues, the 21st National Assembly may drift from the start.

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