All Democratic Party Leadership Members Test 'Negative'... Budget Review Expected to Resume on the 31st

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Democratic Party of Korea's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th, delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea tested negative for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The National Assembly extended its closure until the 29th and decided to resume standing committee meetings from the 31st if no additional confirmed cases are found.

On the 27th, the Democratic Party announced, "Party Leader Lee Hae-chan, Floor Leader Kim Tae-nyeon, Supreme Council Members Park Kwang-on, Nam In-soon, Lee Hyung-seok, Secretary-General Yoon Ho-jung, Policy Committee Chairman Cho Jeong-sik, and Senior Deputy Chairman Yoon Kwan-seok all tested negative for COVID-19." They attended the Supreme Council meeting on the 26th, which was covered by a photographer who later tested positive, thus becoming subjects of active monitoring.

Although the leadership who tested negative were exempted from self-quarantine, they were advised to refrain from gatherings and must undergo re-testing on the 31st. Decisions regarding Leader Lee's attendance at the party convention and his farewell press conference will be made after discussions on that day. Some lawmakers classified as close contacts entered a two-week self-quarantine. These include Senior Deputy Floor Leader Kim Young-jin, Strategic Planning Committee Chairman Jin Sung-jun, Deputy Secretary-General Kim Kyung-hyup, Spokesperson Song Gap-seok, and Floor Spokesperson Park Sung-jun.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly extended its closure until the 29th to focus on disinfection efforts. The Disaster Countermeasures Headquarters announced, "To prioritize the normal progress of the regular National Assembly session starting next month on the 1st, major government buildings will remain closed until the 29th to concentrate on disinfection." Accordingly, some National Assembly operations will be partially allowed from the 30th, and if no additional confirmed cases arise, standing committee meetings such as the Budget and Accounts Special Committee’s final review will proceed from the 31st. The regular National Assembly opening ceremony will be held on the 1st of next month, and the plenary session on the 4th. Considering the holiday, the national audit schedule will be conducted from October 7 to 26.

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