Joo Ho-young: "If the ruling party tries to take everything, the National Assembly won't function properly"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is attending the elected members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and receiving a report from an official. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, reiterated on the 29th, a day before the opening of the 21st National Assembly, "If the Democratic Party of Korea insists on taking everything as a winner-takes-all, the National Assembly will not function properly in this critical crisis."

Floor leader Joo made these remarks during the first elected members' meeting held at the National Assembly following the merger of the United Future Party and the Future Korea Party that morning.

He stated, "According to the convention of organizing the National Assembly so far, the Speaker of the National Assembly was elected once the organization was completed," adding, "After electing the Speaker, the next step is the allocation of negotiation groups, and if the allocation table is not submitted, the Speaker can forcibly assign it."

Floor leader Joo said, "I don't think it will go that far, but once the Speaker is elected, there is such a burden," and advocated for 'prior agreement on organization, followed by election of the Speaker.'

He urged, "If the Democratic Party acts in the spirit of cooperation and coexistence and only demands what they originally insisted on when they were the opposition, an agreement is possible," adding, "But if they try to take everything, I want to emphasize that the National Assembly will not function properly." The Democratic Party has pressured the United Future Party by demanding the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Special Budget and Accounts Committee, and mentioning the possibility of 'monopolizing all standing committee seats.'

Floor leader Joo also explained the luncheon meeting at the Blue House with President Moon Jae-in and Democratic Party floor leader Kim Tae-nyeon held the previous day. He said, "Regarding the organization of the National Assembly, the ruling and opposition parties had a debate-like discussion for more than 30 minutes, and the President asked for the National Assembly to complete the organization quickly." Regarding the operation of the Ruling-Opposition-Government Consultative Body, he added, "No specific date for the next meeting was set, but we promised to meet frequently."

Meanwhile, the United Future Party has decided to submit a collection of bills aimed at revitalizing the livelihood economy after the 'post-COVID-19' era as the 'first party-line bill' of the 21st National Assembly.

Regarding the resolution to donate 30% of the salaries of party-affiliated lawmakers to society, he said, "About half of the collected amount will be used to embody the party's values in rare diseases or difficult areas, and the other half will be used for local welfare foundations or wherever desired."