Park Byeong-seok "Postponing National Assembly Seminars and Library Closures... Will Establish Remote Meeting System"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] As confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) surge, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok has recommended postponing seminars and briefings at the National Assembly for the next two weeks, and the National Assembly Library has decided to close temporarily. They also announced plans to expedite the establishment of remote meeting and other non-face-to-face systems.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 18th, Han Minsu, the National Assembly Chief Public Relations Officer, held a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office and stated, “Speaker Park instructed that the National Assembly implement preemptive preventive measures in line with the government’s policy to elevate social distancing levels.”

According to this directive, the National Assembly Library will close again, and meetings or events of affiliated organizations will be temporarily postponed. Starting from the 19th, disinfection measures in standing committee meeting rooms will be strengthened, and only government attendees whose names have been submitted in advance will be allowed entry. Coverage of standing committees will be organized with a small press corps.

Speaker Park also recommended postponing seminars and briefings held at the National Assembly Members’ Office Building for the next two weeks to a later date. Attendance at seminars and meetings will be limited to fewer than 50 people, and in spaces with a capacity of fewer than 50, only 50% of the seating capacity will be allowed to attend.

Han added, “Speaker Park instructed to explore various methods to ensure that legislative activities proceed smoothly despite the COVID-19 crisis,” and “accordingly, he urged speeding up the preparation of a video conferencing system that allows standing committees and party caucuses to hold meetings remotely.”

Speaker Park plans to send this directive personally to all 300 members of the National Assembly. The introduction of a remote meeting and voting system requires an amendment to the National Assembly Act, and detailed plans will be discussed at the party leaders’ meeting scheduled for the 20th.

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