Kim Tae-nyeon "Unconditional Opening on the 5th of Next Month... Shock to the Opposition Party Considered as a Negotiation Partner"

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is clearing his throat after finishing his remarks at a press briefing related to the opening of the 21st National Assembly held at the National Assembly on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that the National Assembly will unconditionally convene on the 5th of next month as stipulated by the National Assembly Act, and expressed shock at the opposition party considering the convening of the National Assembly as a subject for negotiation.

On the 31st, Kim held a briefing at the National Assembly floor leaders' meeting room and said, "The United Future Party must recognize together that the convening of the National Assembly cannot be a subject of negotiation and must cooperate."

He added, "Until now, the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea has failed to adhere to the legally prescribed convening date, but to prepare for a new era, a new National Assembly must be formed. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the people are suffering greatly and facing difficulties, so to provide even a little comfort and reassurance, the National Assembly must convene on the designated date and establish a working parliamentary system."

Kim said, "I thought it would not be difficult to convene on June 5th, the date set by the National Assembly Act, and I believed it would be easy to reach an agreement. I thought the convening itself would not be a subject of negotiation, but after the floor leadership of both parties was formed and negotiations took place, the attitude was to link the convening with other issues. I could not understand it and was shocked."

He stated that the goal is to handle the third supplementary budget, the Working National Assembly Act, K-quarantine bills, and amendments to the Employment Insurance Act, among other livelihood-related bills, within next month. Kim said, "(The third supplementary budget and the Working National Assembly Act, etc.) are targeted to be processed in June. While some items may not be processed during the work, discussions will be initiated."

Kim expressed his intention to process the 'Working National Assembly Act' as the first bill. He explained, "Once finalized, I will provide detailed information, but the 'Working National Assembly' law includes provisions that the National Assembly doors must be open year-round, and that plenary sessions, standing committees, and bill subcommittees must be held on designated dates. It also includes measures to operate multiple bill subcommittees for faster review and to remove obstacles that slowed down bill processing until the 20th National Assembly."

One of the main obstacles that delayed bill processing was the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's (Legislation Committee) function of systematic and textual review. Kim said, "The Legislation Committee's authority to revise systematically and textually has been used as a means of overreach, abuse, and obstruction," and "there must be other institutional supplementary measures to review systematic and textual revisions."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press conference at the National Assembly on the 31st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Regarding standing committees, he said negotiations will be held but past practices will not be repeated. Kim emphasized, "We will negotiate, but it is unreasonable to propose forming the National Assembly as when the Democratic Party had 177 seats but did not have a majority, or to repeat the practices of operating the National Assembly under such conditions. Having more than 168 seats means the Democratic Party can hold a majority in all standing committees, and even in the even-numbered standing committees."

Regarding Yoon Mi-hyang, the Democratic Party elected member, he said, "Regarding the press conference, I understand that she did her best to explain herself," and added, "The prosecution investigation will be conducted soon."