Song Young-gil Finds Site for Sejong Assembly Hall... Accelerates Relocation Discussions

Holding Budget Policy Council Meeting On Site
Promises to Pass National Assembly Act Within Regular Session
"Raised Issues with Representative Lee Jun-seok as Well"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Amid stalled discussions on the passage of the National Assembly Act for the establishment of the National Assembly Sejong Office, the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea visited Sejong City on the 15th and pledged to pass the bill within the regular session of the National Assembly. Attention is focused on whether the relocation of the National Assembly to Sejong will gain momentum again.

On the same day, Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, visited the site for the establishment of the Sejong Office located in Sejong-ri, Yeongi-myeon, Sejong City, and held a budget policy consultation meeting on-site. After visiting the site, Song told reporters, "I will do my best to ensure that the National Assembly Steering Committee is formed before the July or August regular session of the National Assembly, that the related laws are passed, and that the related budget can be executed." He added, "I deeply regret that despite bipartisan agreement, the process is delayed due to the opposition party's political interests and the distribution of standing committee chairmanships." He also said, "I will convey today's discussion results to National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok and urge the formation of the Steering Committee. I will officially raise this issue with Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party." A party official also emphasized in a phone call, "The Democratic Party's determination to handle the Sejong Office is strong."

The amendment to the National Assembly Act, which includes the relocation of the National Assembly to Sejong, is currently pending in the National Assembly. The bill failed to pass last month due to the breakdown of bipartisan agreement during the formation of the Steering Committee and the Judiciary Committee, which are responsible for processing the bill. The ruling party criticized the opposition for not cooperating in forming the standing committees, while the opposition maintained that further review was necessary. Song stated on the day, "The Speaker of the National Assembly should appoint the Steering Committee chairperson by prerogative and open the Steering Committee to persuade the opposition," but also suggested the possibility of unilateral passage by saying, "If the opposition does not attend, I believe it can be passed alone."

In response, on the 1st, Democratic Party presidential candidates visited Sejong City themselves and pledged to "cooperate in passing the National Assembly Act," lending support. Representative Kim Du-kwan said, "The Blue House and the National Assembly must come to Sejong to complete the administrative capital." Former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also stated, "(The relocation of the National Assembly to Sejong) not only helps balanced national development but is also necessary for future competitiveness." At that time, the presidential candidates mentioned passing the bill during the September regular session, but Sejong Mayor Lee Chun-hee urged for earlier passage considering the presidential election climate.

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