Speaker of the National Assembly and Ruling and Opposition Floor Leaders to Meet on the 7th for Negotiations on Parliamentary Organization

Park Byeong-seok "Will Make a Decision if No Agreement"
Kim Tae-nyeon "Cannot Delay National Assembly Operations"
Joo Ho-young "Choice Lies with the Democratic Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Chun-han] The Speaker of the National Assembly and the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties have agreed to hold a meeting on the 7th to negotiate the organization of the parliamentary committees.

Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Kim Tae-nyeon of the Democratic Party of Korea and Joo Ho-young of the United Future Party held a meeting at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 5th and reached this agreement, Han Min-soo, the National Assembly's chief public relations officer, briefed.

Han said, "On the 7th at 5 p.m., a meeting for the organization of the committees will be held in the Speaker's office with the participation of Speaker Park, the floor leaders of both parties, and the deputy floor leaders," adding, "If necessary, the Speaker and the floor leaders of both parties may have an informal meeting before that."

Han added, "Specific standing committees were not mentioned, and the two floor leaders spoke about their basic positions," and "The Speaker requested both parties to consider 'what they can concede'."

In his opening remarks that day, Speaker Park said, "It is the first day today, but there are many regrets. I hope negotiations will be conducted with an open mind," and "If an agreement is not reached soon, the Speaker will make a decision."

Floor leader Kim said, "It is very regrettable that the opposition party did not participate in the vote as the opening of the National Assembly and the election of the Speaker's group were linked to the organization of the standing committees," and "We cannot delay the normal operation of the National Assembly even for a moment. It is not right for the people."

Floor leader Joo said, "We are stating the minimum position, and the choice is up to the Democratic Party," and "If the opening negotiations are pushed through unilaterally by force, it will not be easy to accept."