Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a speech as the representative of the negotiating group at the National Assembly plenary session on the 18th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 18th, as Lee In-young, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stepped onto the podium to deliver the negotiation group representative speech, some members of the United Future Party began to leave one by one.
On that day, he identified the '4 Quarantine Acts' to respond to new infectious diseases such as COVID-19, the Regional Commercial District Win-Win Development Act, the Digital Sex Crime Eradication Act, and the revision of the National Assembly Act as priorities to be handled within the term of the 20th National Assembly, urging opposition cooperation. Applause came from the Democratic Party seats.
On the other hand, members of the United Future Party maintained a solemn atmosphere. However, when Lee In-young said, "The Future Korea Party hastily formed by the Liberty Korea Party is a ruling party and, in a word, a fake party," jeers began to arise.
Lee In-young continued his speech without particular agitation, saying, "The United Future Party, which seeks to become the number one party in the National Assembly at all costs by overturning public opinion through trickery, has abandoned democracy, party politics, the public’s scrutiny, dignity, and decency." Then, members of the United Future Party expressed dissatisfaction with remarks such as "What are you talking about!" and "Oh no~".
Especially when Lee In-young said, "In just two years, the Democratic Party and the Moon Jae-in administration must revitalize the economy, revive people’s livelihoods, and accomplish the historic achievement of restoring the power structure from vested interests to the people," shouts like "Be ashamed" and "Don’t lie" were heard.
After about 45 minutes of speech, when Lee In-young stepped down from the podium, Democratic Party members gathered around, shaking hands and exchanging greetings.
The opposition party gave harsh criticism. Lee Man-hee, the floor spokesperson of the United Future Party, said in a statement that day, "Listening to Lee In-young’s negotiation group representative speech, one cannot help but ask what he has been doing for the past three years and why he is acting like this now," and criticized, "The act of listing neglected livelihood legislations, which were ignored in pursuit of the regime’s interests, only now, is nothing but hypocrisy and deception of the people."
He added, "Lee In-young’s speech was filled with content as if he brought a manuscript from three years ago, presenting plans and resolutions as if he were taking charge of state affairs for the first time," emphasizing, "The Democratic Party must now transform into a party of the people, not a subordinate of the Blue House."
The Bareunmirae Party said, "Instead of self-reflection and apology, he consistently blamed the National Assembly for the failure of state affairs," calling it "a symbol of the arrogant Democratic Party."
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