Applause Erupts at United Party Meeting... Joo Ho-young: "Even if the Democratic Party Dictates, We Will Faithfully Play the Opposition Role"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, encouraged lawmakers by saying, "Whether the National Assembly is fully controlled by the Democratic Party or becomes a dictatorship, let us faithfully fulfill our role as the opposition party." Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, also said, "Let us do our best in our duties as the opposition party."

On the 29th, at the United Future Party lawmakers' meeting held in the National Assembly Budget Committee meeting room, Floor Leader Joo said, "As of today, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea no longer exists, and the one-party dictatorship of the Democratic Party has begun."

He said, "The Democratic Party said they would never give up the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. We proposed alternatives, but they did not accept them," adding, "The Democratic Party intends to dominate all standing committees including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, only sharing a few committees, effectively running a one-man show and making us mere figureheads."

He explained the reason for the breakdown, saying, "For the checks and balances of the National Assembly, we must take charge of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," and "Ultimately, we withheld the agreement and notified that we cannot open the session with the current status today."

Floor Leader Joo said, "Shortly, senior lawmakers will go to the Speaker's office to protest," and added, "We consulted and confirmed with the third-term lawmakers who will take the standing committee chair positions, and they all said they would not cling to their seats, for which I am grateful. We confirmed their intention of putting the country before party." After Floor Leader Joo's remarks, the United Future Party lawmakers responded with applause.

Chairman Kim also said, "In a legislature, the majority and minority parties should put their heads together and seek harmony, but the majority is insisting on doing things their way, and the minority has no way to resist this," adding, "This may be a moment of hardship for us now, but I believe it can become a great medicine for the goals we aim to achieve in the future."

He said, "From now on, we will fully support Floor Leader Joo and do our best to focus solely on the people and fulfill our duties as the opposition party in our legislative life," and "If we act with the mindset of faithfully performing the duties of the opposition rather than being dragged along by the ruling party majority, we will achieve results not inferior to theirs." Chairman Kim also requested another round of applause for Floor Leader Joo, saying, "He has spared no effort and worked hard in negotiations so far."

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