Negotiations on Organizational Formation Stalled... Choo Kyung-ho: "If the Democratic Party Overindulges Alone, It Will Cause Severe Stomach Trouble"

"Forced Submission of Minority Parties Just Because They Are the Majority"

Regarding the negotiation for the formation of the National Assembly, Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, criticized the Democratic Party of Korea for ignoring parliamentary customs and trying to monopolize key positions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the emergency meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 3rd, Floor Leader Choo said, "I am frustrated by the lack of progress in the negotiation for the formation of the 22nd National Assembly," and added, "There is a mountain of work to be done, but the Democratic Party is forcing the minority party to submit simply because they are the majority." He then pointed out, "Stop the politics of showing off power and throwing tantrums in the negotiation for the formation. Please keep in mind that if you forcibly take everything for yourself, you will suffer a serious upset."

Floor Leader Choo reiterated the People Power Party’s position on the negotiation for the formation. He said, "The Speaker of the National Assembly should be from the first party, the Democratic Party, and the Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee should be from the second party, the People Power Party," adding, "If the Democratic Party insists on taking the Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, then the Speaker should be from the People Power Party. That is the principle of checks and balances." He further stated, "The Democratic Party’s attitude of monopolizing not only the Speaker position but also the Chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is a claim to turn the National Assembly into their own party meeting room without any checks," and "This is unacceptable. The Chairperson of the Steering Committee should be held by the ruling party for responsible state administration."

Floor Leader Choo also criticized the Democratic Party for changing its stance on the comprehensive real estate tax reform, which they themselves proposed. He said, "The People Power Party warmly welcomed the Democratic Party members’ proposal to abolish or reform the comprehensive real estate tax to ease the burden and suggested that both parties discuss the reform together," adding, "As expected, when the ruling party and the Presidential Office actively responded to the Democratic Party’s call for comprehensive real estate tax reform, the Democratic Party itself, which started the discussion, appears to be wavering." He continued, "When members of the party leadership put forward (comprehensive real estate tax reform) ideas, the Democratic Party’s chief spokesperson belittled them as the claims of a very small minority within the party," and emphasized, "It is irresponsible to throw out proposals and then, when some opposition arises, to ignore it and instead criticize the ruling party for pushing for tax cuts for the wealthy. Such duplicity is not the attitude of a responsible majority party."

Regarding pension reform to be discussed in the 22nd National Assembly, Floor Leader Choo proposed, "I suggest that the ruling and opposition parties promptly start working-level consultations to form a consultative body for the ruling party, opposition parties, and the government to discuss and process it by the end of the year during the regular session," and said, "The People Power Party promises to actively engage in bipartisan consultations on any topic as long as it is for the livelihood of the people."

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