Joo Ho-young: "The National Assembly is an institution operated by consensus... United Party attended the plenary session to protest"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, criticized the unilateral opening of the National Assembly on the 5th, saying, "The National Assembly is an institution operated by consensus," and "If minority opinions are ignored and a one-way approach is taken, it cannot proceed smoothly."

On the same day, Joo made these remarks during a procedural speech at the plenary session of the National Assembly in the morning, expressing "a very complicated and dismal feeling."

He pointed out, "(According to the National Assembly Act) it states that the chairpersons are to be elected on the 5th, but this is a guiding provision and not a mandatory clause," adding, "There have been 20 opening sessions of the National Assembly so far, and this has never been observed, yet the ruling party is suddenly insisting on opening it because it is stipulated by law."

Joo explained, "Today is a day when the plenary session cannot be constituted," and "During the 18th National Assembly, the seats of the ruling and opposition parties completely changed, and at that time, the Democratic Party had 88 seats. According to the records from that time, it states that 'the plenary session could not be held, was not convened, and the chairpersons could not be elected.'"

He said, "Although a temporary chairperson opened the plenary session, it cannot be held without an agreement on the agenda between the ruling and opposition parties, and it is not legitimate," adding, "Our attendance at the plenary session was to point out and protest this issue, not to recognize the plenary session."

Joo criticized, "If you push through with the idea that having 177 seats means you can do anything, the 21st National Assembly cannot start smoothly," and "This situation goes against the demand to handle national tasks through cooperation and coexistence in difficult times."

He continued, "In much of history, it may seem that decisions made overwhelmingly by the majority and pushed forward will work well, but the majority can fall into danger, and if minority opposing opinions are not heard, many difficulties arise, as witnessed in history and reality," adding, "The problems in future National Assembly operations lie entirely with the Democratic Party, which led the unrecognized plenary session, and we are ready for cooperative coexistence."

Meanwhile, immediately after Joo’s procedural speech, all United Future Party lawmakers who had entered the plenary hall exited.

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