The National Assembly Stalemate Continues for 18 Days... Opposition Urges "Accelerate Organization After Speaker Election"

Lee Su-jin "Even if the plenary session is convened tomorrow, elect the chairperson first... We must open the way for negotiation on the organization of the National Assembly"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party of Korea urged the People Power Party to cooperate, saying, "One way to accelerate the negotiation for the organization of the National Assembly is to first elect the Speaker of the National Assembly," regarding the delay in the organization of the 21st National Assembly's second half.

On the 16th, Lee Su-jin, the Democratic Party's floor spokesperson, said to reporters at the National Assembly in the morning, "Negotiations related to the organization of the National Assembly (between the ruling and opposition parties) are not progressing," and made the statement.

Spokesperson Lee emphasized, "The People Power Party is not showing a proactive attitude toward negotiations, and when asked about the election of the Speaker upon meeting, they only give lukewarm answers," adding, "It would be better to quickly arrange negotiations for the organization of the National Assembly."

He also predicted that electing the Speaker and Deputy Speakers first could speed up the negotiations for the organization between the ruling and opposition parties. Last month, the Democratic Party selected Representative Kim Jin-pyo and Representative Kim Young-joo as candidates for the Speaker and Deputy Speaker for the second half, respectively, but since the plenary session vote has not been held, the Speaker's office is officially vacant.

Spokesperson Lee said, "In order for the National Assembly to function, it is necessary to hurry the organization in order," and added, "In the current situation, convening a plenary session even tomorrow and first electing the Speaker of the National Assembly is a way to put momentum into the (organization) negotiations."

He continued, "Once the Speaker is elected, legislative power will also be revived," and said, "Since it is the role of the National Assembly to form a personnel hearing special committee to resolve doubts about the suitability of ministerial candidates, if we prioritize electing the Speaker first and then take a stance to do what needs to be done, I think the deadlock will be broken."

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