The Biggest Concern of the 21st National Assembly is 'Economy'... Related Research Groups and Seminars Follow One After Another

On the afternoon of the 9th, ruling and opposition research groups 'Uhujuksun' hold their first debate... Lee Kwang-jae: "Discovering legislative tasks for economic recovery strategies"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Since the start of the 21st National Assembly, research groups and seminars led by Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) lawmakers on the themes of 'post-COVID-19' and 'economy' have been held continuously.

According to the Democratic Party on the 9th, in the 7 meetings of the DPK leadership held since the start of the 21st National Assembly up to that day, the topic of 'economy' appeared without fail every single day. Kim Tae-nyeon, the DPK floor leader, also emphasized at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, export-oriented small and medium enterprises are facing limits," and stressed, "We must resolve difficulties in manufacturing and textile industries."

Lawmakers-led groups of the Democratic Party are also being formed and progressing with a focus on post-COVID-19 and the economy. The lawmakers' research group 'Uhujuksun' led by DPK lawmaker Lee Kwang-jae held its first discussion session that afternoon under the theme "Understanding the Rapidly Changing International Situation and the New Order after COVID-19 - Direction of South Korea's Economic Development." Lee Kwang-jae's office stated, "The goal is to seek economic recovery strategies for the post-COVID-19 era," and added, "We plan to regularly hold expert forums and seminars in the future and then discover legislative tasks."

DPK lawmaker Hong Young-pyo continues the existing Gyeonggukjimo (a group of lawmakers studying the economy). This group held seminars on post-COVID-19 economic policies even before the opening of the National Assembly, attracting attention with many elected members attending. DPK lawmaker Song Young-gil has formed a group studying 'Climate Change and Green New Deal Policies' and is holding a series of seminars. DPK lawmaker Park Yong-jin, together with independent lawmaker Lee Yong-ho, formed the 'New Society Lawmaker Economic Group.'

Interest in the economy in the 21st National Assembly is also reflected in bill proposals. According to the National Assembly Legislative Information System, among the 288 bills proposed up to that day, 37 bills mentioned COVID-19 in their 'reason for proposal.' Typically, National Assembly seminars to gather opinions from various sectors before bill proposals were held 19 times, of which 6 were on themes such as post-COVID-19 or corporate support measures.

However, the National Assembly situation is evaluated as being at a 'complete stop' due to delays in negotiations over the organization of committees. A National Assembly official said, "Since the start of the 21st National Assembly, both ruling and opposition parties share a consensus on the economic crisis, but activities of standing committees, including the third supplementary budget bill containing corporate employment retention incentives and related legislation, have not been carried out at all."

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