Joo Ho-young Emphasizing Livelihood and Policy: "I Will Continue as Chair of the Pension Special Committee"

First In-House Strategy Meeting Presided
"Livelihood Issues Not Well Communicated to the Public"
"Democrats Concerned About Criticism of President's Condolence Diplomacy"
In-House Leadership Retained...High-Level Party-Government Meeting on 25th
Democrats "Doubt Over Concurrent Appointment of Pension Special Committee Chair"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 20th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kum Boryeong, Naju Seok, Kwon Hyunji] Joo Ho-young, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, said on the 20th, "Although we have held several party-government meetings and announced 100 major tasks to lead livelihood issues, there is criticism that these efforts have not been conveyed to the public," adding, "I urge the standing committee secretaries to consider not only the policy content but also how to properly inform the public, and to effectively communicate policies through various methods such as press conferences."

At the first floor countermeasure meeting he presided over that day, Floor Leader Joo emphasized 'livelihood' and 'policy' as his first priorities and made this request. This showed his determination to stabilize the party urgently by focusing on policies. The outline of livelihood care is expected to become clearer through the first high-level party-government meeting after his inauguration on the 25th.

Floor Leader Joo particularly emphasized the budget. He said, "Important livelihood issues come from policies and budgets," and added, "I ask the standing committee chairs and secretaries to lead with the mindset of steering state affairs by grasping important policy issues and budget situations in real time."

He also voiced criticism of the Democratic Party of Korea from the first day. Regarding the Democratic Party's claim that President Yoon Suk-yeol was denied condolence visits to the late Queen Elizabeth II in the UK, he said, "It is concerning that the Democratic Party is making baseless and excessive criticisms of the president who went to pay respects at the funeral," and added, "They should understand the significance of presidential diplomacy and show support and respect for the representative of the Republic of Korea."

The floor leader group, including the Policy Committee Chair, was retained. He said, "The floor leader group formed by former Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong was originally scheduled for a one-year term, and we are currently in the regular National Assembly session," adding, "There may be some adjustments, but in principle, we plan to keep the entire floor leader group together."

Floor Leader Joo also expressed his intention to continue serving as the chairman of the Pension Reform Special Committee. He said, "Pension reform is a task that must be carried out continuously over a long period," and added, "It is necessary for lawmakers with expertise and determination to serve for a long time." He continued, "I have experience as the chairman of the Civil Servant Pension Reform Special Committee, so I took this chairman position," emphasizing, "I intend to participate in the pension special committee even if it means saving time."

However, the opposition expressed doubts about whether Floor Leader Joo could realistically serve concurrently as the chairman of the pension special committee. An opposition Health and Welfare Committee member said, "I don't know if it is possible to handle both tasks simultaneously."

Kim Sung-joo, member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Sung-joo, a Democratic Party lawmaker and secretary of the Pension Reform Special Committee, said, "We welcome the ruling party floor leader's commitment to participate in the pension special committee to strengthen the income security of the elderly with responsibility," but added, "I hope this is included as an important task of the floor leader rather than something done by squeezing time." On the same day, the Democratic Party continued its own activities by holding a 'Meeting on Measures to Improve the Pension System to Strengthen Old-age Security' with labor unions and civic groups to discuss the direction of pension reform.

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