Ruling and Opposition Parties Agree to Conclude Assembly Organization Negotiations by Constitution Day on the 17th... Heated Exchanges at One Point (Comprehensive)

Sage Teukwi to Further Discuss Adjustment of Member Quotas

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Jun-yi and Oh Ju-yeon] The People Power Party and the Democratic Party, which have entered negotiations for the second half of the National Assembly's organizational structure, have agreed to conclude the negotiations by the 17th, before Constitution Day. However, disagreements remain regarding the formation of the Special Committee on Judicial Reform (Sage Special Committee), and further discussions are expected to continue.

On the 12th, Park Hyung-soo, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters after a meeting of floor leaders chaired by National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo that morning, "The floor leaders of both parties and the Speaker have reached a partial consensus to conclude the organizational structure negotiations before Constitution Day."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Su-jin, the floor spokesperson for the Democratic Party, also said, "Speaker Kim expressed hope that an agreement on the organizational structure negotiations would be reached before Constitution Day to achieve the results the public desires." She added, "We agreed to make progress in the negotiations through chief-level meetings this week and to advance discussions on previously contentious issues. There was also talk of quickly continuing the organizational structure negotiations after discussing the contents of the April agreement with the floor leaders and the Speaker."

However, regarding the Sage Special Committee, differences in positions remain, and discussions will continue.

Regarding the number of members in the Sage Special Committee, Lee said, "Since these are practical matters, we will discuss them further."

During the meeting to discuss the organizational structure negotiations that day, there was a moment when voices were raised.

Before the closed-door meeting, Speaker Kim said, "We must fasten the first button well and deliver a gift to the people suffering from difficulties in the economy," adding, "I believe the two floor leaders share the same thoughts and feelings on this point."

Following this, Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized the ruling party's responsibility, saying, "Since the ruling party has unlimited responsibility, if it makes generous concessions and cooperates, I believe that even today, the issue of the organizational structure can be resolved. The chief deputy floor leaders have been negotiating, so we can start various legislative and other tasks in the National Assembly more swiftly."

In response, Floor Leader Kwon said, "The organizational structure is simple. Elect the Speaker and then elect the standing committee chairs," and directly criticized the opposition, saying, "Even if the ruling and opposition parties agree, without public consent, it is a collusion and lacks legitimacy." He added, "This is why the complete removal of the prosecution's investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak) lacks legitimacy. But I still cannot understand why the formation of the Sage Special Committee, which completes Geomsu Wanbak, should be an obstacle to forming standing committees." He emphasized, "Don't just talk about worrying about people's livelihoods; let's start by forming the standing committees."

Floor Leader Kwon also said, "Having special committees on livelihoods and on Incheon before forming standing committees is putting the cart before the horse," and added, "It's not too late even now, Speaker. The Democratic Party just needs to make one more concession."

This tense exchange between the floor leaders of the two parties escalated during the subsequent closed-door meeting, with voices raised loud enough to be heard outside the room.

Floor Leader Kwon shouted, "The Democratic Party should apologize," and Floor Leader Park retorted, "If the promise was broken, the side that broke it should apologize," raising their voices.

When asked by reporters about the reason for the raised voices during the closed-door meeting, Floor Spokesperson Park said, "It happened because the discussion went as far as past participation in the Sage Special Committee and the complete removal of the prosecution's investigative authority (Geomsu Wanbak)."

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