Yoon Jae-ok: "Space Aviation Agency Act Must Pass in August... Science and Technology Should Be a Clean Zone Free from Political Strife"

"Opposition Party's Refusal to Participate in Discussions
Is an Irresponsible Neglect Without Excuse"

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, announced that the special law for the establishment of the Space Aviation Agency will be passed during the August National Assembly session.

On the morning of the 28th, at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Yoon said, "Since the agenda adjustment committee has been formed as requested by the opposition party, the Democratic Party no longer has any justification to refuse. Considering the wasted time, we need to reconcile differences and pass it as soon as possible." He added, "Thinking of the public's anticipation for the launch of the Korean version of NASA, I hope the special law for the Space Aviation Agency will definitely be enacted in the August National Assembly session."

Floor Leader Yoon stated, "The Ministry of Science and ICT announced directions regarding the operation of the Space Aviation Agency, and the National Assembly’s Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee also conducted key institutional inquiries. However, Democratic Party lawmakers ultimately did not show up." He criticized, "At a time when the direction of space development, which concerns the country's future, must be determined, the major opposition party’s refusal to even participate in discussions is an inexcusable neglect of responsibility."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He directed criticism at the opposition party, saying, "They are disrupting the Science Committee citing unrelated policies such as separate collection of KBS license fees and the nomination of the Broadcasting Commission chairman, holding the special law hostage." He explained, "Meanwhile, the time to reconcile differences regarding the Space Aviation Agency has increased, and the momentum to close the gap with advanced countries is disappearing."

Continuing, Floor Leader Yoon introduced the space technology development competition among foreign countries, saying, "Even though the National Assembly should be paving the highway for space development, political strife is only causing traffic jams, making it so embarrassing that we can hardly face the public." He added, "In preparing future growth engines, both ruling and opposition parties should prioritize national interests as a political duty." He also emphasized, "To generate growth momentum to escape the low-growth phase, the science and technology sector must be made a politically clean zone free from disputes."

After the meeting, when asked whether this was a populist administration to gain public support in the Gyeongnam region ahead of the general election, Floor Leader Yoon drew a clear line, saying, "It is not a populist administration." He said, "There is public expectation for the launch of the Space Aviation Agency, and as far as I know, the Democratic Party also promised the Space Aviation Agency during the presidential election process." He responded, "This is not a law to be held back by political strife, and the National Assembly should create a culture where politically differing positions are handled separately, and laws with public expectations are processed accordingly."

Regarding Jang Je-won, the chairman of the Science Committee, who stated he would resign if the Space Aviation Agency Act is passed in August, Yoon said, "It seems that Chairman Jang made a personal statement. I think it was an expression of regret and complaint about the delay of the Space Aviation Agency." He added, "Regarding the specific issue of the standing committee chairman’s resignation, it is a matter that should be discussed with me."

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