Democratic Party Unites Economic Legislation Core 'Euljiro Committee' in One Place... "Solidarity with Vulnerable Groups"

The 'Euljiro Committee,' a key pillar leading the Democratic Party's economic legislation, gathered ahead of the opening of the 22nd National Assembly. Established in 2013 with the purpose of protecting the voices of the 'Eul' (乙) ? the vulnerable groups ? the committee is now in its 11th year and has been expanding its activities within the party, ranging from improving unfair industrial practices to discussions aimed at the Democratic Party's return to power.

On the morning of the 14th, Democratic Party lawmaker Woo Won-shik spoke at the Euljiro Committee's 22nd National Assembly elected members' legislative activity study meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. He said, "(The Euljiro Committee) has been around for over 10 years, evolving from a special committee to a standing committee, and then to a nationwide committee, thereby establishing roots within the party." He added, "Only now has it begun to form solidarity with various social groups such as vulnerable populations, workers, self-employed individuals, and small business owners within the Democratic Party." He emphasized, "The trust, political efficacy, and strength gained through long-standing solidarity are achievements created by the Euljiro Committee and the party's livelihood politics as they became part of the political sphere."

As a discussant at the meeting, Representative Woo, who served as the inaugural chairman of the Euljiro Committee, participated along with Park Ju-min, current Euljiro Committee chairman, and 22nd National Assembly Democratic Party elected members including Jeong Seong-ho, Nam In-soon, Lee Hak-young, Min Byung-duk, Park Ji-hye, Lim Kwang-hyun, and Kang Yoo-jung. The committee discussed "Democratic Party's Return to Power: How Should Korean Society Move Forward?" Woo stated, "The current Yoon Seok-yeol administration is a thorough follower of neoliberalism from an economic perspective, essentially 'Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye Season 2,'" and added, "The Democratic Party must engage in solidarity politics representing the majority of citizens suffering from inequality."

Park Jumin, Chairman of the Euljiro Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Democratic Party of Korea's 22nd National Assembly Members-Elect Legislative Activity Study Meeting held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 14th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Recently, the Euljiro Committee has expanded its influence enough to lead economic legislation within the party. Among the approximately 80 incumbent lawmakers affiliated with the committee, about 50 have been re-elected. Initially, the committee focused on labor disputes such as the forced purchase of products by employees at Namyang Dairy headquarters, but gradually broadened its scope to include industrial policy support such as improving employment conditions for domestic workers and the price linkage system for supply contracts. Representative bills originating from the Euljiro Committee within the Democratic Party include the Special Act on Jeonse Fraud and amendments to the Franchise Business Act.

The Euljiro Committee, along with the 'Basic Society Committee' chaired by leader Lee Jae-myung, is expected to become a core pillar of livelihood legislation in the 22nd National Assembly. In line with the opening of the 22nd National Assembly, the committee plans to hold weekly discussions every Tuesday for six weeks on issues such as small business owners and platform workers, win-win cooperation between large and small enterprises, innovative growth, the low birthrate crisis, and innovation growth. While focusing on passing the Online Platform Act upon the National Assembly's opening, the committee also plans to continuously pursue economic legislation related to industrial accidents and the problem of large corporations appropriating startup technologies.

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