Kwon Seong-dong: "Democratic Party Telling Us to Yield, You Need to Have Something to Yield"

"Marathon Talks for Assembly Formation Practically Rejected"

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the current issue inspection meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 21st that "the Democratic Party of Korea has effectively refused the marathon talks for the National Assembly's organizational negotiations," and rebutted the Democrats' demands for concessions by saying, "You need to have something to give up in order to make concessions."

At a current issues briefing held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Kwon said, "The only response we received was to choose between electing the Speaker of the National Assembly first or presenting a concession plan," adding, "It is nothing short of a threat saying they will not negotiate unless the existing bipartisan agreement is broken."

He pointed out, "The Democratic Party has everything. They can convene plenary sessions and standing committees unilaterally and process bills," and added, "Even minority party checks like the Steering Committee and filibuster can be neutralized through disguised party defections and splitting sessions." He continued, "If this is still not enough, they are talking about government power dismantling and budget power dismantling," emphasizing, "Concessions should be made by those who have something."

He went on to say, "The reason the National Assembly could be normalized last year through bipartisan agreement was because the Democratic Party, which had everything, conceded even the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," and warned, "If the Democratic Party insists on having more, the National Assembly will continue in an abnormal deadlock."

Floor Leader Kwon also warned that the year 2020, when the Democratic Party monopolized all standing committee chairmanships including the Speaker of the National Assembly, could be repeated.

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