Speaker Park Byeong-seok's Mediation on 'Postponing Assembly Formation'... Ruling and Opposition Parties Urge "Mutual Concessions" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] The election of the National Assembly standing committee chairpersons, originally scheduled for the 12th, was postponed through mediation by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok. Speaker Park urged for an agreement, saying, "I will give you three more days," but both ruling and opposition parties are sticking to their original positions with the attitude of "each side should make concessions."

On the 12th at 2 p.m., Speaker Park convened a plenary session but did not process the agenda on the standing committee chairpersons, requesting one more time for bipartisan agreement. He emphasized, "I urge the ruling and opposition parties to reach an agreement once again. As the Speaker, I will give you three days for the last time. I ask the leaders of the negotiating groups to show determination and leadership."

Initially, the Democratic Party of Korea planned to elect the standing committee chairpersons at the plenary session that day. When no consensus was reached between the ruling and opposition parties over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, they announced unilateral action, saying they could no longer delay the organization of the National Assembly. The United Future Party opposed this, declaring they would not attend the plenary session and that "there will be no further negotiations if it is forced."

Although Speaker Park requested additional negotiations, both parties are only repeating their existing positions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Young-jin, the Democratic Party's senior deputy floor leader, urged the opposition to make a wise decision and accept the ruling party's proposal. Previously, the Democratic Party proposed a negotiation plan where the ruling party would hold the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, while the opposition would take key standing committees such as the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts, the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and the Political Affairs Committee.

Deputy Floor Leader Kim said, "We did not make a unilateral proposal but exchanged opinions and largely accepted their views," adding, "We divided the budget and legislation well, sufficiently reflecting the opposition's opinions on the budget, and allowing the Political Affairs and Land Committees to adequately represent the people's will." He continued, "Although many Democratic Party lawmakers are very dissatisfied with this negotiation plan, we have a great cause to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and open a working National Assembly," urging the opposition to accept the proposal again.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said, "I do not think (Speaker Park) gave us three days. He postponed it today because he felt pressured," drawing a line by saying, "Since negotiations have broken down, there will be no contact or meetings in the meantime."

Floor Leader Joo reiterated his determination to hold onto the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. He said, "If we lose the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, we have no meaning as the opposition party, and the National Assembly cannot be called the National Assembly, so we cannot negotiate any further," adding, "If the Democratic Party wants to boast about their number of seats, I want to say they should take all 18 standing committee chairmanships and do as they please."

He sharpened his remarks, saying, "The main role of the National Assembly from its inception has been to check presidential power. If the opposition is ignored like this and the most important Legislation and Judiciary Committee is taken, the opposition will only be a mere figurehead."

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