[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sun-hee] President Moon Jae-in will invite Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, to the Blue House for a luncheon on the 28th. Additionally, he is preparing a speech for the opening of the 21st National Assembly early next month.
Kang Ki-jung, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs at the Blue House, held a briefing at the Chuncheon Press Center on the 24th and stated, "Ahead of the opening of the 21st National Assembly, President Moon is inviting the floor leaders of the two major parties, who will lay the foundation for a 'National Assembly of the People,' to the Blue House."
Kang said, "No specific agenda will be set for this luncheon, and they will have an open and frank discussion on overall state affairs, including responses to employment and industrial crises caused by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)." He added, "This meeting was arranged at the invitation of President Moon and with the willing acceptance of the two floor leaders. Starting from this, efforts will continue to institutionalize cooperative governance."
The invitation to this luncheon was limited to the first and second parties, which have representation as 'floor negotiation groups.' Accordingly, other parties, including the Justice Party, were not included in the invitation. The meeting was arranged as a setting for candid dialogue between President Moon and the two floor leaders without any additional attendees.
Furthermore, a senior Blue House official told reporters, "President Moon is preparing a speech for the opening of the National Assembly early next month," adding, "In the face of national crises and the demand for a trusted National Assembly, President Moon is preparing the speech."
According to the National Assembly Act, "The first extraordinary session after the general election of members of the National Assembly shall convene within seven days after the commencement of the members' terms." Therefore, the first extraordinary session of the 21st National Assembly and President Moon's opening speech are expected to take place before June 5th (a weekday), within one week after the term commencement date of the 21st members on the 30th of this month.
Regarding this, a senior Blue House official explained, "During the 20th National Assembly, many bills, including government legislation or actively promoted government bills, were not processed and were discarded," adding, "Procedures are underway to resubmit the government's priority bills." He cited the government organization reform bill to elevate the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the third supplementary budget bill as representative bills, stating, "Most contentious issues have been resolved, and preparations are underway to submit them without delay."
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