Kim Tae-nyeon "United Party's Absence Very Regrettable... Standing Committee Chair Election Also 'According to Principles'"

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering an opening remark at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, expressed regret over the United Future Party's absence from the vote to elect the Speaker of the National Assembly, saying it was "very disappointing." Kim reiterated his stance to "proceed according to principles" regarding the scheduled election of standing committee chairs on the 8th.

At a press briefing immediately following the first plenary session of the 21st National Assembly held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 5th, Kim said, "It is regrettable that the United Future Party could not participate in the Speaker election due to their arbitrary legal interpretation regarding the distribution of standing committee chairs," adding, "The Democratic Party will not hesitate and will take the next step."

He added, "Since today is the opening date set by the National Assembly Act, I believe it would have been best to attend the plenary session and participate in the vote," and continued, "I earnestly appealed to negotiate with sufficient time afterward regarding the election of the Speaker and the composition of standing committees on the legally designated date, but it was very disappointing that this was not accepted by the United Future Party."

Kim said, "We will negotiate with the United Future Party as much as possible starting today," and added, "If the opposition party does not comply with the law as in past practices, we will proceed according to principles. We urge the United Future Party to take a progressive stance."

In response to the question, "Did you suggest that standing committee chairs could be elected even after the legal deadline on the 8th?" he answered, "Yes." However, he emphasized, "The Democratic Party will maintain the principle of abiding by the law." When asked whether the standing committee chairs would be elected by vote rather than consensus, he said, "There is a procedure stipulated by the National Assembly Act. We will abide by the law."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the United Future Party entered the plenary session but left without participating in the vote for the Speaker election. Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the United Future Party, stated during the plenary session's procedural remarks, "Since there was no agreement between the ruling and opposition parties on the formation of the National Assembly, it is impossible to hold the plenary session. Today's meeting is not legitimate," adding, "We attended to protest, not to recognize the plenary session."