Lee Nak-yon's First Negotiation Bloc Speech: "Resuming Regular Ruling-Opposition-Government Dialogue"

We Must Unite in the Face of COVID-19
CIO Establishment Mentioned... The Flashpoint for "Cooperative Governance"
About 2,000 Workers Lose Their Lives at Work Each Year
Calls for the Severe Accident Corporate Punishment Act
Determined to Designate Additional Innovation Cities

[Asia Economy, reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the morning of September 7, Lee Nak-yon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, delivered his first speech as the representative of a negotiation bloc at the National Assembly’s plenary session. He urged the swift passage of the Severe Accident Corporate Punishment Act and the Basic Life and Safety Act, noting, “Every year, about 2,000 workers lose their lives at industrial sites.” He also outlined future policy directions, including expanding national employment insurance and designating additional innovation cities in anticipation of relocating the administrative capital. Lee reaffirmed his commitment to gender equality policies, such as the gradual reduction of the gender wage gap and mandating a minimum ratio of female executives in public institutions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee also presented a blueprint for “cooperative governance,” including the operation of a permanent consultative body among the ruling party, opposition parties, and the government, as well as joint policy formulation. With opposition parties such as the People’s Party responding positively, the reactivation of the permanent consultative body is expected to gain momentum. However, since Lee once again emphasized the need for reforming the power structure in his speech, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) Act is likely to remain a potential flashpoint for conflict at any time.

In his speech, themed “Overcoming COVID-19 and the Great Transition Ahead,” Lee called for the swift passage of the Severe Accident Corporate Punishment Act and the Life and Safety Act as policy priorities. He stated, “Long-standing issues such as strengthening the public healthcare system remain. We must expedite the establishment of infectious disease hospitals in each region,” adding, “I hope the relevant standing committees will work to ensure the prompt passage of the Severe Accident Corporate Punishment Act and related legislation to prevent industrial safety accidents.” In particular, as a measure to strengthen the social safety net in the wake of COVID-19, he stressed the urgent implementation of national employment insurance for all citizens. He said, “We plan to first expand employment insurance to cover artists and special-type workers,” and added, “We will later extend it to platform workers and freelancers.”

Regarding the ruling party’s push to relocate the administrative capital, Lee hinted at a second phase of relocating public institutions and designating additional innovation cities. He said, “Seventy-five percent of the headquarters of the top 1,000 companies are located in the Seoul metropolitan area. Regional imbalance undermines the happiness of all citizens,” emphasizing, “I hope the Special Committee on Balanced National Development within the National Assembly will be activated swiftly to address this issue.”

Lee also identified gender equality as a key task in preparing for the coming great transition. As a way to break the glass ceiling, he proposed mandating a minimum ratio of female executives in public institutions. He said, “The gender wage gap stands at 31 percent. We will gradually reduce this gap,” adding, “We will also encourage private companies and organizations to increase the number of female executives through incentives.”

Lee called for the resumption of regular dialogue among the ruling party, opposition parties, and the government, saying, “Let us suspend political strife and practice politics of unity, at least while overcoming this national crisis.” The permanent consultative body among the ruling party, opposition parties, and the government was agreed upon and promoted during the 20th National Assembly but was suspended again due to political conflict. The opposition parties also responded positively. Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, at the party’s Supreme Council meeting that morning, proposed institutionalizing the consultative body and holding meetings among party leaders. Ahn said, “Even if we fight when we must, we should join forces in the face of COVID-19.”

Lee also outlined his vision for policy cooperation. He said, “Let us jointly legislate similar policies proposed by both the ruling and opposition parties during this session,” proposing that common pledges and policy platforms from the April 15 general election be jointly legislated. Lee stated, “Let us work together to legislate common pledges from the April 15 general election, such as expanding infectious disease hospitals, supporting venture companies, and ensuring women’s safety, as well as common policy platforms like realizing economic democratization, expanding youth participation in politics, and increasing renewable energy.”

However, controversy over the CIO is likely to remain a major obstacle to cooperative governance. In his speech, Lee stressed, “Establishing the CIO is central to reforming power institutions,” adding, “I hope the CIO will be established and begin operations in accordance with the law.” He continued, “If one refuses to abide by a law passed by the National Assembly simply because they did not support it, that is a denial of parliamentary democracy itself,” directly addressing the opposition. The conflict already appears to be brewing. On this day, members of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee from the People Power Party held a press conference, criticizing, “Rather than appointing a CIO head candidate whose constitutionality is being reviewed by the Constitutional Court, the formation of the board of the North Korean Human Rights Foundation should be prioritized.”

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