Ruling Party: "Nursing Act and Itaewon Special Act Should Not Be Forced Through by the Opposition"

The People Power Party urged the opposition to engage in dialogue over contentious bills such as the Nursing Act and the Itaewon Disaster Special Act. The Democratic Party of Korea has stated its intention to pass the Nursing Act at the plenary session on the 27th.

On the 25th, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, "The Democratic Party plans to table the Nursing Act at the plenary session on the 27th and push for its passage," adding, "As a result, the medical community is showing extreme polarization."

Floor leader Yoon said, "Thirteen health and medical organizations, including the Medical Association and the Association of Nurses Assistants, have declared a total strike if the Nursing Act passes," describing the situation as "like two trains heading toward each other about to collide."

Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 25th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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He continued, "We cannot allow an infinite confrontation at the expense of the lives and health of the people," and "I earnestly appeal to regain composure and return to dialogue." He also urged the Democratic Party, saying, "As a political party, please stop the attempt to forcibly pass the Nursing Act that would cause a medical crisis and join us in dialogue and problem-solving."

Park Dae-chul, chairman of the Policy Committee, strongly criticized the Itaewon Disaster Special Act jointly proposed by the four opposition parties (Democratic Party, Justice Party, Basic Income Party, and Progressive Party) on the 20th, calling it a "special law for election strategy."

Chairman Park explained, "The Itaewon accident was a crush accident. The responsible parties are on trial," and "The impeachment trial of the Minister of the Interior and Safety is underway, and many aspects such as rescue activities and responses by related agencies have been clarified through the National Assembly's state audit."

He added, "Nevertheless, the Itaewon Special Act submitted by the opposition has more problems than the three special laws related to the Sewol Ferry disaster combined." Chairman Park pointed out, "The composition of the Special Investigation Committee's recommendation committee is excessively biased," noting, "Of the nine recommendation committee members, six are to be appointed by the bereaved families and the opposition parties." He also criticized, "The scope of victims is excessively broad," and "There are serious concerns about budget waste regarding overall support issues such as living expenses." He said, "This is the first time I have seen such excessive legislation," and urged, "This is not the time to politically exploit the people's pain but to focus on preventing recurrence. We call on the Democratic Party to reflect and withdraw the bill."

The People Power Party held a party meeting in the afternoon to gather opinions on key bills including the Nursing Act and Medical Act amendments, the Itaewon Disaster Special Act, and the double special prosecution bills (the 5 billion Club and Kim Kun-hee special prosecution bills).

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