Song Unseok: "Ruling Party's Push for Special Law Despite Non-Binding MOU Is the Height of Contradiction"

"First Budget of the Lee Administration... Populist Spending Will Be Removed"
On Spokesperson Park Controversy: "Media Is Overreacting"

Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on November 18 once again emphasized the need for parliamentary ratification, responding to the Democratic Party's announcement of plans to enact a special law on investment in the United States in relation to the 'Joint Fact Sheet'-the outcome of negotiations on Korea-US tariffs and security issues. He stated, "If a memorandum of understanding (MOU) is not legally binding, I do not understand why there is a need to create a legally binding special law."

At a press briefing at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Song said, "Signing an MOU that is not legally binding and then enacting a special law that is legally binding is the height of contradiction," reiterating his point.

Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press briefing on the party's response to the government's 'Constitution Respect Government Innovation Task Force' and other current issues at the National Assembly on November 18, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He explained, "The government is negotiating with enormous amounts of taxpayers' money at stake and placing a significant burden on the national economy. Therefore, rather than leaving the decision solely to the government, we want to set a proper precedent for verification through the National Assembly, which represents the people."

Regarding the budget review, he said, "It is regrettable that the first budget of the Lee Jaemyung administration is marred by populist spending and lax fiscal management," and added, "The People Power Party will do its utmost throughout the entire review process, including the budget adjustment subcommittee, to eliminate populist expenditures and create a sound fiscal and growth-oriented budget that strengthens the fundamentals of the national economy."

On President Lee Jaemyung's state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Song commented, "If Korea's outstanding nuclear power technology is combined with the UAE's abundant capital to create a nuclear cooperation project that aligns with the nuclear renaissance initiative promoted by the Trump administration in the United States, we can expect a great synergy effect." He added, "I hope the 7-night, 10-day trip will become a path of practical diplomacy that maximizes Korea's national interests."

He continued, "I hope that the de facto launch of the second phase of the nuclear phase-out policy in Korea will not negatively affect additional exports of the Barakah nuclear power plant," and said, "Regardless of party affiliation or political faction, we give bipartisan support to Korea-UAE cooperation in nuclear energy and defense for the sake of the national interest."

Regarding the Democratic Party's push for a National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee investigation into the decision to drop the appeal in the Daejang-dong case, Song said, "The committee is being operated unilaterally by the chairperson, making it impossible to have sufficient discussion or consultation on agenda items. On top of that, if the committee is tasked with a national investigation, it would be almost the same as the current issue inquiries involving the Minister of Justice and related senior prosecutors." He added, "It seems the Democratic Party is raising the issue of a national investigation only to back away from it when it becomes burdensome to actually carry it out."

Regarding the controversy over party spokesperson Park Minyoung's remarks, which were criticized as ableist, he said, "I ask the media to refrain from overreacting to internal party matters," and added, "He has expressed his intention to apologize, and I believe the matter will be resolved as the party leader has already taken strict disciplinary action." He continued, "It is not appropriate to further debate an issue that the party leader has already addressed sternly."

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