Ruling and Opposition Parties' Late-Night Negotiation on Committee Formation Also Ends in Failure... "Uncertain if Talks Will Resume Tomorrow" (Comprehensive)

Unable to schedule tomorrow's meeting
Differences remain in the second round of negotiations
"Opposition sticks to ruling party's stance on prosecution reform"

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is shaking hands with Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, after the National Assembly plenary session ended around midnight on the 28th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The ruling and opposition party leadership met at an undisclosed location on the evening of the 3rd to continue negotiations on the organization of the National Assembly, but they still failed to find a point of agreement. Although there is an opportunity for negotiations on the morning of the 4th, when the plenary session is scheduled, both parties reportedly have not even set a meeting schedule.

According to ruling and opposition party officials that evening, the leadership met at an undisclosed location to negotiate the organization of the National Assembly. After meeting at 3 p.m. and continuing late-night talks, there was some expectation of a breakthrough, but both sides reportedly only repeated their existing positions without reaching an agreement.

A Democratic Party floor official said, "The meeting ended around 9:20 p.m.," adding, "We negotiated for about an hour but it ended without any progress, and there is no promise to meet tomorrow." The official added, "Since there is still a deadline until the morning, whether a final agreement will be reached will be the key issue tomorrow."

Even if negotiations take place tomorrow, if no agreement is reached, a plenary session is expected to be held at 2 p.m. Initially, the Democratic Party had planned to hold a plenary session on the afternoon of the 1st to at least elect the Speaker of the National Assembly. However, the Democratic Party postponed the plenary session schedule to keep alive the possibility of negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties.

According to another Democratic Party official, "The People Power Party took the stance that they would not accept anything regarding the prosecutorial reform agreement proposed by the Democratic Party," conveying the negotiation atmosphere.

Since the People Power Party plans to hold a party meeting on the morning of the 4th, the possibility of negotiation failure is high. However, the atmosphere does not rule out the possibility of additional negotiations between the party leadership. A People Power Party floor official said, "It is a process that requires continuous consultation," adding, "The situation is the same as before the evening."

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