Bills to Win Votes Ahead of Presidential Election Line Up for Passage... Today's Plenary Session

Public Institution Labor Director System and 7 Major Bills Including the Political Party Act Among 46 Cases to Be Processed
Discussion Begins on February Extraordinary National Assembly Schedule... Official Presidential Election Campaign Period Starts from March 15
Supplementary Budget Expected to Be Processed Around February 14

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] With the presidential election two months away, the first National Assembly plenary session of the year is expected to pass a series of bills targeting the votes of laborers, youth, and other key voter groups.

On the 11th, the National Assembly will hold a plenary session in the afternoon to process about 46 bills, including 7 major bills.

The major bills include ▲Public Institution Operation Act (introduction of labor director system) ▲Public Official Election Act (expansion of overseas voting stations, etc.) ▲Political Parties Act (lowering party membership age to 16) ▲Special Act on Strengthening and Protecting National Advanced Industry Competitiveness ▲National Balanced Development Act ▲Building Management Act (follow-up measures for Gwangju collapse accident) ▲Police Officer Duty Execution Act, among others.

On the 31st, the plenary session of the National Assembly passed a motion to extend the activity period of the Special Committee on Press and Media System Improvement until May 29 of next year, with 228 out of 231 members present voting in favor. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Among these, the Public Institution Operation Act, which centers on the introduction of the 'labor director system' in public institutions, has faced fierce opposition from the business community, citing reasons such as exacerbating the power imbalance in labor-management relations and reducing the speed of managerial decision-making. However, after passing the full meeting of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day, it was finally submitted to the plenary session.

The labor director system for public institutions requires public institutions such as public enterprises and quasi-governmental agencies to appoint one non-executive director recommended or agreed upon by labor representatives to the board of directors. If this bill is approved in the plenary session, 120 public institutions will have to introduce the labor director system starting from the second half of this year.

Despite opposition from the business community, the bill discussion gained momentum after Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, urged its passage during the regular National Assembly session in December last year, and Yoon Seok-youl, the People Power Party presidential candidate, also expressed support. If passed in the plenary session, there is a possibility that the labor director system will expand from public institutions to private companies, causing industries with strong union influence to be on high alert.

The amendment to the Political Parties Act, which lowers the party membership age from 18 to 16, also passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee the previous day and is expected to be processed in the plenary session. The amendment includes provisions allowing any citizen aged 16 or older to become a founding member or member of a political party.

The ruling and opposition parties' swift move to amend the Political Parties Act is seen as a response to the youth vote, a major voter group ahead of the March presidential election. However, those under 18 must submit a consent form from their legal guardian to join a political party.

Other bills awaiting plenary session approval include the Special Act on Strengthening and Protecting National Advanced Industry Competitiveness, which comprehensively fosters and supports advanced industries including semiconductors, and the Police Officer Duty Execution Act, which reduces criminal liability during police officers' duty execution.

After the plenary session, the ruling and opposition parties are expected to immediately coordinate the schedule for the February extraordinary session of the National Assembly.

Since the February session coincides with the presidential election period, there is an intention to expedite the processing of the supplementary budget bill, which mainly includes compensation and support for small business owners affected by COVID-19.

On the day, Cho Oh-seop, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, told reporters after the morning floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly, "The official election campaign period starts on February 15. Therefore, it seems reasonable and efficient to process the budget and other bills before that." He added, "We expect the supplementary budget to be processed around February 14."

Cho also said, "The ruling party is preparing, and the opposition party is showing some agreement on the supplementary budget, so once the government proposal is ready, discussions on the supplementary budget are expected to take place."

He further predicted, "Since the opposition party and presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl have expressed the necessity of the supplementary budget, we do not expect strong opposition."

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