Kim Tae-nyeon Apologizes to Justice Party for Fair Trade Act Processing Process

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jinyoung] The Justice Party, which cooperated in the process of handling the Fair Trade Act by the Democratic Party of Korea, protested on the 9th against the Democratic Party's reversal of its position on abolishing the exclusive prosecution rights and passing the bill. The Justice Party reported that Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, apologized for this.

Kang Eun-mi, the floor leader of the Justice Party, and Jang Hye-young, a Justice Party lawmaker, visited the Democratic Party floor leader's office in protest that morning, raising issues regarding the handling of the Fair Trade Act by the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee's Agenda Coordination Subcommittee and the convening of the Environment and Labor Committee at 1:30 a.m.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Bae Jin-kyo, a Justice Party lawmaker belonging to the Political Affairs Committee, attended the agenda coordination subcommittee the day before and participated in handling the amendment to the Fair Trade Act that abolished exclusive prosecution rights. However, the Democratic Party later submitted a revised bill maintaining the exclusive prosecution rights at the plenary session and ultimately passed it. Although they explained it as a measure reflecting the concerns of the business community, the Democratic Party, which changed its stance from abolition to maintenance, could not avoid criticism of 'bill switching.'

Floor leader Kang pointed out, "It is a violation to submit the agenda passed by the agenda coordination subcommittee to the plenary session and process it as a revised bill," adding, "There should have been more thorough discussions." Regarding the Environment and Labor Committee issue, he said, "The Justice Party was conducting an overnight sit-in, and the 1:30 a.m. meeting was not a reasonable time for discussion, so we requested an adjournment, but it was not accepted, and the Democratic Party proceeded while ignoring the parliamentary procedure remarks."

When asked by reporters, "Did you hear a direct apology?" Floor leader Kang replied, "Yes," adding, "I believe the apology also included the Environment and Labor Committee issue."

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