Park Byeong-seok "Considering simultaneous local and presidential elections," on Yoon Mi-hyang's question "The National Assembly must make self-purification efforts"

On the 16th, Park Byeong-seok, who marked 100 days since his inauguration as Speaker of the National Assembly, held a virtual press conference at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] On the afternoon of the 16th, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok held a video press conference at the National Assembly marking his 100 days in office, where he stated that the simultaneous implementation of the 2022 local elections and presidential election should be considered. Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Mi-hyang, who has been indicted on charges including fraud and breach of trust, he expressed his position that "the National Assembly will strive to develop its self-purification capabilities."

◆ "Elections held three months apart drain national power" = Speaker Park raised the agenda of holding local and presidential elections simultaneously. He said, "In the first half of the year after next, the presidential election and the nationwide local elections will be held three months apart. Considerable national power consumption is anticipated," adding, "A serious review is needed on whether to hold the local and presidential elections simultaneously. There should be discussions on this issue next year."

He also emphasized that the National Assembly should focus on people's livelihoods until the elections. He said, "From next year until the first half of the year after next, it will be the season of elections. Bills related to COVID-19 and non-contentious bills concerning people's livelihoods must all be processed within this regular session of the National Assembly," and added, "At least until the end of this year, we must prevent the 'time of elections' from encroaching on the 'time of the National Assembly.'"

On the 16th, Park Byeong-seok, who marked 100 days since his inauguration as Speaker of the National Assembly, held a virtual press conference at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

◆ On Yoon Mi-hyang question: "The National Assembly will strive to move in a trustworthy direction" ... "Constitutional amendment to be discussed next year" = Regarding questions about lawmaker Yoon, who has been indicted by the prosecution on charges including fraud, embezzlement, and breach of trust, he said, "The National Assembly's Ethics Committee has been formed, and an advisory committee for ethics review has also been established," adding, "The 21st National Assembly is striving to be strict about its own issues so that the National Assembly can secure its self-purification function and be trusted."

On constitutional amendment, he said, "I hope that by around next year, when COVID-19 has subsided, we can begin serious discussions on this." He continued, "Under the current system, almost every president has faced unfortunate circumstances. If it were just one or two cases, it would be a matter of individuals, but the fact that every president has faced unfortunate circumstances points to a systemic problem," adding, "Power must be divided."

He also mentioned the need to adjust the powers of the National Assembly's Judiciary Committee. He said, "After the regular session ends, the reform of the National Assembly must accelerate," and urged, "I hope the ruling party will promptly complete the promised adjustment of the Judiciary Committee's powers. Let's not miss this opportunity."

Regarding the possibility of additional negotiations on the distribution of standing committee chairpersons between the ruling and opposition parties, Speaker Park said, "It is very regrettable that the negotiation for the organization of the National Assembly was not smoothly conducted at the beginning of the session," adding, "The door is closed but not locked. If either side shows willingness and makes inquiries, the Speaker will actively mediate." On the delay in forming the Public Officials Corruption Investigation Commission's recommendation committee, he reaffirmed the existing position, saying, "I urged the opposition party to recommend members by September 1."

On the legalization of online plenary sessions and other non-face-to-face National Assembly activities, he said, "The 300 members of the National Assembly represent the entire country and are composed of about 1,500 reporters traveling nationwide, making it one of the most vulnerable areas," adding, "If even one member tests positive, the plenary session cannot be held." He continued, "I will establish a legal system that allows non-face-to-face meetings and voting only exceptionally, temporarily, and with the agreement of both ruling and opposition parties."

On the 16th, Park Byeong-seok, who marked 100 days since his inauguration as Speaker of the National Assembly, held a virtual press conference at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

◆ "Promoting relocation of the National Assembly building... Both Daejeon and Chungnam must be designated as innovation cities" = Speaker Park said, "Let's put emphasis on national balanced development," adding, "The 21st National Assembly must lay the groundwork for the Sejong National Assembly building. The Sejong National Assembly building will mark a milestone in national balanced development." Regarding the designation of innovation cities in the Chungcheong region, he said, "In line with the spirit of the law's passage, we have a firm stance that both Daejeon and Chungnam should be designated as innovation cities respectively," adding, "With a strong will within the broad framework of national balanced development, we are closely consulting with government agencies. The conclusion may be announced as early as next week."

◆ "Promoting inter-Korean parliamentary talks... Change of Japanese Prime Minister will be a momentum for restoring Korea-Japan relations" = Speaker Park said, "We will calmly prepare for inter-Korean parliamentary talks," adding, "A resolution urging inter-Korean parliamentary talks is currently being discussed by the ruling and opposition parties' Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee secretaries." He explained, "Considering the currently strained inter-Korean relations, it is natural to question the effectiveness of parliamentary talks," but added, "However, the North and South must take the initiative to break through the deadlock," and "If the parliament holds talks naturally while even the communication channels are closed, it will open a path for inter-Korean relations."

Regarding Korea-Japan relations, he said, "With the change of the Prime Minister, I think a momentum has been created," adding, "If Japan adopts a progressive attitude, we are willing to discuss the future of Korea-Japan relations." As an opportunity, he said, "The Japanese Speaker sent a letter of congratulations on my inauguration, proposing that responsible political leaders should make efforts to resolve bilateral issues. This year, the parliamentary meeting between the two countries is scheduled to be held in Japan."

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