Yu: "Yellow Envelope Act and Double Special Prosecutor Handling, Seems Like Democratic Party and Justice Party Made a Deal"

Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 25th that he believes there was some form of deal between the Democratic Party and the Justice Party regarding the 'Yellow Envelope Act,' a bill under the jurisdiction of the Environment and Labor Committee, which could be directly referred to the National Assembly plenary session without a committee vote, along with the designation of the double special prosecution fast-track.

After the party floor meeting on the same day, Yoon told reporters, "Regarding the specific response to the bill's processing, the Environment and Labor Committee secretaries will discuss and take action," expressing this view.

The Democratic Party has announced plans to designate the special prosecution bills related to the Daejang-dong 5 billion club and the stock manipulation allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee as fast-track agenda items at the plenary session on the 27th. The People Power Party views this as an attempt to process the Yellow Envelope Act, which the Justice Party demands, together with these bills.

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

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Im E-ja, the ruling party secretary of the Environment and Labor Committee, criticized the direct referral of the Yellow Envelope Act, saying, "It only seems like the Democratic Party is trying to shift the focus from the 'Money Envelope Gate' of the 'Jjeondangdaehoe' (Money Party Congress)," and added, "The Yellow Envelope Act, under the guise of exercising labor rights, grants impunity even for clearly illegal acts." She further stated, "I assume this is an attempt to appease the Justice Party for the fast-track processing of the two special prosecution bills," implying that the Yellow Envelope Act was discussed together to gain justification at the request of the Justice Party.

Im said, "It goes against the basic principles of compensation for civil illegal acts and could unjustly infringe on property rights," and added, "I earnestly urge the public to judge the Democratic Party, which intends to directly refer the bill to the plenary session, on what it means to lose much by seeking little."

The Democratic Party has also announced plans to submit the Nursing Act bill at this plenary session. It is expected to face difficulties as it is a bill that the ruling and opposition parties are fiercely opposing.

At the meeting, Floor Leader Yoon said, "(Regarding the Nursing Act) the medical community is showing extreme polarization. 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," adding, "It is like two trains running towards each other, about to collide."

He continued, "We cannot allow an infinite confrontation at the expense of the people's lives and health," 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, which would cause a medical crisis, and join us in dialogue and problem-solving."

The People Power Party plans to hold a party meeting in the afternoon to gather opinions on key bills such as the Nursing Act, amendments to the Medical Service Act, and the designation of the double special prosecution fast-track. However, they are numerically disadvantaged and lack sufficient means to block these bills.

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