Moon and Joo Ho-young discuss 'economic cooperation'... ruling party threatens "We will take all standing committees"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The United Future Party decided on the 28th to focus on cooperation to revive the economy rather than political claims ahead of the meeting between President Moon Jae-in and the floor leaders of both ruling and opposition parties. Although there are speculations that the pardon of former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye might be discussed, the party maintains that the pardon issue is merely secondary. On the other hand, the ruling party has pressured the opposition by declaring, "We will take all standing committees."

According to the United Future Party on the 27th, Floor Leader Joo Ho-young plans to convey the reality of the economic crisis caused by the aftermath of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and discuss economic cooperation during the meeting with President Moon. Floor Deputy Leader Kim Sung-won said, "The main topic of discussion is economic revival and 'post-COVID' measures," adding, "We will communicate the current situation, which is much more serious than what the President and the Blue House perceive, and discuss areas for cooperation." Kim also stated, "Although the government's current directions are considered emergency measures, such measures often cause many side effects and backlash," and "This meeting will be a comfortable place to talk about such issues."

In this process, it is also known that options supporting President Moon's emphasis on 'expanding employment insurance' to respond to the post-COVID era are being considered. Earlier, on the 15th, Senior Secretary for Political Affairs Kang Ki-jung of the Blue House conveyed President Moon's request to Floor Leader Joo to advance the implementation timing of the Employment Insurance Act, which centers on expanding employment insurance. At that time, Floor Leader Joo expressed a negative stance, saying, "No matter how urgent, you cannot sew a needle's waist."

There are also speculations that Floor Leader Joo might demand pardons for former presidents. Previously, in response to National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang's remark that "it is a time not to fear pardons," Floor Leader Joo hinted at the necessity of pardons on his Facebook, stating, "The tragedy where every president without exception becomes unhappy must now end."

However, the United Future Party mentioned that this is a matter to be discussed only at a secondary level. Deputy Leader Kim said, "President Moon spoke of national unity as his inaugural message, and in this national crisis, shouldn't there be national unity?" adding, "Mentions of pardons may or may not arise depending on the atmosphere on the ground."

Meanwhile, the Democratic Party of Korea, negotiating the formation of the National Assembly with the United Future Party, has been publicly pressuring the opposition by saying, "We will take all standing committees." Democratic Party lawmaker Yoon Ho-jung conveyed opinions from a closed Supreme Council meeting, saying, "Negotiations like 'Who will take the Legislation and Judiciary Committee?' or 'Who will take the Special Budget and Accounts Committee?' cannot exist," and "It is in line with the principles of democracy for the Democratic Party, as the absolute majority party, to take all standing committee chairmanships and operate responsibly."