National Assembly Finally Shutdown... Political Schedule 'All Stop' (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the 26th, a reporter who covered the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council meeting tested positive for the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). As a result, the National Assembly has begun closing some buildings, including the main building, the members' office building, and the communication center, making a 'National Assembly shutdown' a reality.

The National Assembly announced in the afternoon, "A Democratic Party reporter tested positive," and "The main building, members' office building, and communication center will be closed on the 27th."

The National Assembly ordered its staff to leave work early and plans to conduct disinfection after the closure. Employees working in the affected buildings will work from home on the 27th. Additionally, Speaker Park Byeong-seok and other members of the leadership have been designated for active monitoring, and further measures will be taken depending on the progress of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.

The reporter who tested positive had a meal with a relative (who was also positive) on the 22nd, was off work from the 23rd to the 25th, and came to work on the day of the meeting to cover the Democratic Party Supreme Council meeting. The meeting was attended by party leader Lee Hae-chan, floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon, and many other party leaders. About 50 members of the National Assembly, reporters, and party officials had direct or indirect contact with the reporter.

The party leadership has been in self-quarantine since the afternoon when it was revealed that the reporter had contact with a COVID-19 positive individual. A Democratic Party official said, "The subjects requiring testing will be determined based on the epidemiological investigation results scheduled for the morning of the 27th."

Not only the Democratic Party but other parties also decided to cancel their official schedules planned for the 27th. The United Future Party canceled its emergency committee meeting and the appointment ceremony for the policy coordination committee chairperson, the Justice Party decided not to hold its executive meeting and instead replaced the leadership's collective remarks with written statements, and the People's Party also canceled its Supreme Council meeting.

It is expected that there will be significant disruptions to future National Assembly schedules. If the Democratic Party leadership undergoes COVID-19 testing, they will have to self-quarantine until the results are out. Since most of the leadership are current members of the National Assembly, the ongoing budget session schedule is inevitably affected.

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