The Democratic Party Launches 'Mulbonaegi' Public Campaign... Special Committee's First Task

"Includes Drinking Water, Agricultural and Industrial Water
Specific Delivery Plans to Be Discussed Later"

After the launch of the new leadership of the People Power Party, the 'No. 1 Special Committee,' Minsheng 119, selected the 'Water Sending National Campaign' as its first task. The special committee plans to identify urgent areas and discuss concrete measures to resolve water shortages caused by drought in the southern region.


Minsheng 119 held its first meeting at the National Assembly on the 3rd and announced these plans. Chairperson Jo Su-jin told reporters after the meeting, "We are currently prioritizing areas urgently in need of water and coordinating with local governments such as Jeollanam-do and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety to prepare specific measures, which we will explain later."


During the meeting, various ideas were proposed, including issues related to accommodations for foreign workers in rural areas and remedies for jeonse fraud victims, but Chairperson Jo's 'Water Sending Campaign' was ultimately selected. Jo explained the background of the selection, saying, "Gwangju City is considering forcibly restricting water use by citizens starting in June if the current situation continues, and companies in Yeosu and Gwangyang, Jeonnam, where industrial water supply is in emergency, have begun sequential shutdowns."


[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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However, no specific plan has been established yet. Although a request for data on water shortage areas was made to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the method of delivery was not decided in this meeting. Chairperson Jo said, "I think the severity of the (water shortage) can be identified immediately, even this afternoon," adding, "We will produce some results this week and visit the field next week."


The special committee began its activities after receiving appointment letters from Representative Kim Ki-hyun during the first meeting that morning. Four subcommittees were also formed. The Rural and Fishing Village Livelihood Subcommittee is chaired by Representative Jeong Hee-yong, with members Kim Ga-ram, Kim Min-su, and Yoon Seon-ung. The Regional Economy and Small Business Livelihood Subcommittee is chaired by Representative Bae Jun-young, with members Kwak Dae-jung, Do Geon-woo, and Jeong Seon-hwa. The Real Estate and Finance Livelihood Subcommittee is chaired by Representative Jo Eun-hee, with members Doo Seong-gyu and Moon Seung-gwan. The Legislative Policy Livelihood Subcommittee, which implements tasks discussed in each subcommittee into legislative policies, is chaired by Representative Kim Mi-ae, with members Jang Dong-hyuk and Jeong Hae-yong.


Minsheng 119 is expected to propose livelihood alternatives within a narrower and more detailed scope than the policy committee, which deals with national-level policies. Representative Kim Ki-hyun said to reporters after the Minsheng 119 meeting, when asked about the difference between the policy committee and the special committee, "The Livelihood Special Committee finds, discovers, and seeks solutions to problems in everyday life," adding, "(The policy committee) deals with policies on a larger scale, such as electricity rates and the Grain Management Act, and supports legislation at the policy level, so the roles are divided."


When asked by a reporter whether Minsheng 119 plans to address electricity and gas rates, Chairperson Jo said, "The part you asked about requires party-government consultations and policy review," explaining, "While cooperation with the policy committee and party-government consultations are important, we will focus on aspects that can easily reach the public."


Meanwhile, after the meeting, the committee members had a lunch of convenience store dosirak from four companies.

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