Kwon Seong-dong "Proposes Formation of Ruling-Opposition Council for Pension Reform... Opposes Constitutional Amendment Special Committee" (Comprehensive)

Held a 100-Day Press Conference for the Floor Leader's Inauguration
"Pension Reform Requires Social Grand Compromise"
On Constitution Day, Regarding Kim Jin-pyo's Proposal for the Constitutional Amendment Special Committee
"Not the Time to Focus All Attention There for Discussion"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Kwon Seong-dong, acting party leader and floor leader, proposed on the 17th to form a consultative body among the ruling and opposition parties and the government for the National Pension, but Speaker Kim Jin-pyo expressed opposition to the formation of a special committee on constitutional amendment.

On the same day, Kwon held a press conference marking 100 days since his inauguration as floor leader at the National Assembly and said, "The National Pension has become a time bomb in Korean society. Pension reform cannot be done unilaterally by the government," adding, "A social grand compromise beyond bipartisan cooperation is necessary. We need to form a consultative body among the ruling and opposition parties and the government to come up with measures."

Kwon expressed, "Above all, I hope the 21st National Assembly will be one that resolves long-standing reform tasks," presenting pension, labor, and education reforms as the three major reform tasks. He said, "Everyone acknowledges the necessity of pension reform, labor reform, and education reform. However, out of fear of losing votes and resistance to reform, these have been postponed repeatedly until now," emphasizing, "Pension reform, labor reform, and education reform are absolutely necessary. Even if these are unpopular topics, for the future of the country, the ruling and opposition parties must together bell the cat."

However, Kwon opposed Speaker Kim Jin-pyo's proposal to form a special committee on constitutional amendment on Constitution Day, stating, "Since it is the early days of the administration, it is a time when the government can inject new policies and new energy. If the constitutional amendment special committee is formed, all focus might be drawn there," adding, "This is not the time to form and discuss a constitutional amendment special committee at this stage."

He also mentioned, "Even if the special committee is formed, there are significant differences in views between the ruling and opposition parties, making consensus difficult." He continued, "Ultimately, for constitutional amendment to be realized, a decision by both parties is necessary, but it cannot be made on a broad range of topics," saying, "If it is about the governance structure, the decision should focus on one area like governance structure. If you say you will handle all articles, it will be like opening a large scroll that cannot be managed."

Regarding the ongoing negotiations over the formation of the National Assembly leadership, which have not narrowed differences even on Constitution Day, he said, "The Democratic Party keeps saying that we are leaking the negotiation process, so I cannot comment," adding, "I spoke with Speaker Kim Jin-pyo about this issue today and also talked with the Democratic Party floor leader, but I cannot disclose details." He explained, "The Democratic Party wants to hold chairmanships of both the Public Administration and Security Committee and the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, while we say to take only one of them," clarifying, "The Democratic Party frames it as if we (People Power Party) are trying to take the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee, but we never said we would take it. We said if the Democratic Party chooses one, we will take the remaining one." He added, "The Democratic Party has a member chairing the Broadcasting and Communications Commission, so how can we control broadcasting? If they want to criticize us for intending to control broadcasting, Chairman Han Sang-hyuk of the Broadcasting Commission should resign and we should take over the Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee for such claims to be valid."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding personnel controversies in the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, he said, "We are trying to make appointments that align with fairness and common sense, recommending people with expertise, ability, and morality, but I think there are parts that fall short of some citizens' expectations," adding, "We will make further efforts to correct such parts."

Kwon, who is acting on behalf of Representative Lee Jun-seok whose party membership was suspended for six months due to disciplinary action by the Ethics Committee, also expressed his stance on current party issues. Regarding the reorganization of the Special Committee on Organizational Strengthening, he said, "I will think more deeply and discuss with various party members whether reorganization is really necessary before making a decision." On Lee's nationwide outdoor activities, he said, "I have already expressed my position on Representative Lee's activities several times. It is not appropriate to answer questions about who moves how and what they do," refraining from further comment.

When asked about local issues in his constituency, Gangneung, specifically whether the introduction of non-stop service from the metropolitan area to Gangneung on the KTX Gangneung Line is a special privilege, he replied, "Since the intention is obvious, I will not answer," and when asked the same question again, he said, "Many people come to Gangneung during the summer vacation season, and I think it is being piloted due to that necessity."

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