Representative speeches by negotiation groups on the 20th-21st... Government questioning from the 22nd
Health and Welfare, Administration and Security, Culture, Sports and Tourism Committees to split into two bill subcommittees
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The ruling and opposition parties have agreed to hold the opening ceremony of the '21st National Assembly' on the 16th. They also finalized the legislative schedule for the July extraordinary session, including negotiation group leaders' speeches and interpellations to the government.
Kim Tae-nyeon of the Democratic Party and Joo Ho-young of the United Future Party, floor leaders, met at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 14th and signed an agreement reflecting these details.
The opening ceremony, which had not been held for nearly two months since the start of the 21st National Assembly's term, is scheduled for 2 p.m. on the 16th. However, a Democratic Party official stated that President Moon Jae-in's opening speech has not been finalized due to unresolved scheduling issues.
The negotiation group leaders' speeches will be delivered by the Democratic Party on the 20th and by the United Future Party on the 21st. Speeches by representatives of non-negotiation groups will be conducted for 15 minutes each, following precedent. Subsequently, from the 22nd to the 24th, sectoral interpellations to the government will be held for three days, followed by plenary sessions on the 30th and August 4th to handle agenda items.
Additionally, the ruling and opposition parties agreed to restructure the bill subcommittees of three standing committees?the Health and Welfare Committee, the Administration and Security Committee, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee?into a dual bill subcommittee system by splitting each into two. For these standing committees and the eight other standing committees that already have multiple bill subcommittees (Legislation and Judiciary, Political Affairs, Planning and Finance, Science, Technology, Information and Communications, Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries, Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Land, Infrastructure and Transport), the chairpersons of the bill subcommittees will be assigned one each by the two negotiation groups per committee.
Among these, the Defense Committee's bill subcommittee chairperson will be appointed by the United Future Party. The ruling and opposition parties agreed that agenda items within each standing committee's bill subcommittee will be processed on the principle of consensus.
Furthermore, regarding the National Assembly's recommendation of two members to the Korea Communications Commission, each negotiation group will recommend one member, and the matter will be handled at the plenary session on the 30th.
For the two members of the National Election Commission, the Democratic Party will recommend one member, and the United Future Party will recommend the other, with the Democratic Party's consent for the process.
Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said at a press conference immediately after the meeting, "I believe the National Assembly should decide through deliberative democracy by reaching agreements and engaging in discussions." He added, "Although the 21st National Assembly had its difficulties, I hope both parties will continuously debate and consult on national issues and do their best for a National Assembly that benefits the people."
Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party, also stated, "Although late, I am very glad that we agreed on the opening ceremony and the July National Assembly schedule." He added, "Going forward, both parties will put their heads together and do their best to overcome the COVID-19 crisis and take care of the people's lives."
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