Jeon Hee-kyung, Kwak Sang-do, and Song Eon-seok Also Test Positive
Schedule for Interpellation and Other Sessions Agreed by Ruling and Opposition Parties...Possibility of Plenary Session Starting Tomorrow
Official Activities Expected to Be Minimized for the Time Being
It was reported that a COVID-19 confirmed case attended an event of the United Future Party, leading to the closure of all National Assembly buildings, including the main building, for the first time in the history of the legislature on the 25th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The National Assembly, which had closed due to the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), has avoided the worst-case scenario. All members of the United Future Party, including Floor Leader Shim Jae-cheol who was tested after contact with a confirmed case, received negative test results. After completing disinfection work, the National Assembly will resume normal operations on the 26th. The postponed schedules, such as the government questioning session, will be decided later through consultations between the ruling and opposition party leaderships.
On the 25th, the United Future Party announced that Floor Leader Shim, spokesperson Jeon Hee-kyung, and lawmakers Kwak Sang-do and Song Eon-seok all tested negative for COVID-19. Hwang Kyo-ahn, the party leader who held the Supreme Council meeting with Floor Leader Shim the day before, also tested negative.
The National Assembly went on high alert after Ha Yun-su, chairman of the Korea Federation of Teachers' Associations, who attended an event at the Members' Office Building the previous day, was confirmed positive for COVID-19. Since Floor Leader Shim and others attended the same event as Chairman Ha, the plenary session scheduled for that day was canceled. Committee meetings for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, and Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee were also postponed one after another.
As concerns grew, National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang made an unprecedented decision to close the National Assembly. For disinfection work, not only the main building but also the Members' Office Building, library, parliamentary office building, and daycare center were all closed for one day. With the National Assembly closed, the February extraordinary session schedule was postponed again following the previous day, and all planned party events were also delayed. In particular, the United Future Party minimized personal schedules after confirming contact with a confirmed case.
With all lawmakers who were in the same space as the confirmed case, including Floor Leader Shim, testing negative for COVID-19, the National Assembly was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The chief deputy floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties began consultations to reschedule the National Assembly's agenda. They are expected to agree on the overall schedule as soon as the National Assembly reopens at 9 a.m. on the 26th. There is a high possibility that the postponed plenary session will be held starting tomorrow afternoon.
The extraordinary session has so far only conducted speeches by the floor leaders of the negotiating groups. It is awaiting the handling of agenda items such as government questioning, the election of standing committee chairs including the Intelligence Committee and Education Committee, the approval of nominee No Tae-ak for Supreme Court Justice, and the formation of the National Assembly COVID-19 Countermeasures Special Committee.
However, as COVID-19 is still spreading, activities are expected to be restricted. Official events involving large gatherings are likely to be minimized. Prospective candidates for the general election also face a challenging environment for active campaigning. Even party leader Hwang, who tested negative, decided not to schedule any public events and to carry out only minimal activities. Lee Jun-seok, a Supreme Council member of the United Future Party, said on a radio program, "Under the current circumstances, the election itself is entering a blackout mode," adding, "Voters are concerned not only about contact but also about the transmission of business cards as a medium, so election campaigning is difficult."
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