Sim Jae-cheol: "Will Quickly Conclude Emergency Committee at Party Meeting... Also Holding Meeting with Floor Leader"

Shim Jae-cheol, Acting President of the United Future Party, is speaking at the disbandment ceremony of the Election Countermeasures Committee held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Shim Jae-cheol, Acting Party Leader of the United Future Party, announced that the party plans to finalize the transition to an emergency response committee (ERC) system at the parliamentary meeting scheduled for the 20th. He also stated that a meeting of floor leaders to agree on disaster relief fund payments will be held in the afternoon.

After a closed-door Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Acting Leader Shim told reporters, "The majority of the Supreme Council members agreed that it would be better to quickly transition to the ERC system."

He explained, "Most opinions were to quickly resolve the current situation. Of course, there were some who suggested moving toward a party convention, but the majority favored moving to the ERC as swiftly as possible."

The United Future Party plans to gather final opinions at the parliamentary meeting held in the afternoon. Acting Leader Shim said, "I will share these opinions at the parliamentary meeting this afternoon and gather the final views. We will reach a conclusion quickly."

Acting Leader Shim is also scheduled to meet with Lee In-young, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, to discuss support for disaster relief funds. He said, "The meeting will take place after the plenary session. We decided last week to meet this week."

The new floor leader is expected to be appointed in early next month. Acting Leader Shim said, "I plan to normalize the party's flow. With the consecutive holidays, it will probably be around early May. Since I will need to discuss with the new ERC chairman once appointed, this is the outline we are considering."

Currently, the United Future Party is sending a 'love call' to former General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in to take on the role of ERC chairman. However, it is known that Kim has expressed he will not accept the position unless his term is guaranteed at least until the end of the year and he is given full authority. Regarding this, Acting Leader Shim said, "Let's wait and see. Whether it becomes a Hong Gil-dong ERC or something else, it is a matter that requires comprehensive consideration. It cannot be decided abruptly like cutting a radish in one stroke." On the possibility of putting young people at the forefront of the ERC, he said, "I will review it as a good suggestion."

Regarding the elected members' meeting, he responded, "We could gather even tomorrow, but we should have a clear outline of what we will discuss when we meet."