Lee Nak-yeon and Kim Jong-in Agree on Swift Supplementary Budget Approval... Contentious Issues Like Assembly Organization Remain Unchanged (Comprehensive)

Ruling and Opposition Leaders' First Luncheon Meeting Chaired by Speaker Park Byeong-seok
4th Supplementary Budget, COVID-19 Law Processing, Common Agenda Consultation... 'Conditional' Cooperation
Tensions Over Cooperation... Disagreements Remain on Committee Formation, Corruption Investigation Office, Choo Mi-ae, and More

Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok, Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon, and People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in are posing at the luncheon meeting hosted by the Speaker of the National Assembly held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Jeon Jinyoung] The ruling and opposition parties agreed on the 10th to swiftly process the 4th supplementary budget (supplementary budget) amounting to 7.8 trillion won, aiming to ensure that disaster relief funds can be distributed to more people before Chuseok.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, held their first luncheon meeting at the National Assembly presided over by Speaker Park Byeong-seok and reached this agreement, according to Han Minsu, chief public relations officer of the National Assembly, Choi In-ho, senior spokesperson of the Democratic Party, and Kim Eun-hye, spokesperson of the People Power Party.

◆ Ruling and opposition to cooperate on 4th supplementary budget and COVID-19 laws = On the same day, both parties agreed to "process the 4th supplementary budget as urgently as possible and strive to ensure that many citizens receive emergency disaster relief funds before Chuseok." Additionally, they agreed to process as many bills related to COVID-19 prevention and livelihood support as possible at the plenary session scheduled for the 24th.

Furthermore, common issues from the April 15 general election pledges and party platforms will be handled through consultations between the policy chiefs of both parties. The National Assembly Secretariat will actively support this by forming a working team including the Legislative Research Office.

Senior spokesperson Choi explained, "Regarding COVID-19 prevention, especially the expansion of specialized infectious disease hospitals, which was a common pledge in the general election, we believe agreement can be easily reached." However, spokesperson Kim conveyed that Chairman Kim said, "There will be no major disagreements on livelihood bills, but if political issues are included, it could continue the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties. I believe that politically contentious bills will not be raised in the last year of President Moon Jae-in's term."

The ruling and opposition parties also agreed to hold regular monthly meetings of party leaders presided over by the Speaker.

Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is delivering a greeting at the luncheon meeting hosted by Park Byeong-seok, Speaker of the National Assembly, held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

◆ Negotiations on parliamentary organization and Public Officials Corruption Investigation Office (PCCIO) remain contentious = However, during the meeting, positions on sensitive issues such as negotiations on parliamentary organization and the recommendation of candidates for the head of the PCCIO were not narrowed.

In his remarks before the closed-door meeting, Chairman Kim said, "The customary practice of parliamentary organization has not been observed, causing significant cracks between the ruling and opposition parties, and the situation remains unresolved." He brought up the issue of the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee again, but Leader Lee responded that "this is an issue where we cannot afford to repeat the twists and turns of negotiations," according to senior spokesperson Choi.

Spokesperson Kim stated, "Chairman Kim said that if these issues are not resolved, the tense relationship between the ruling and opposition parties will inevitably continue."

The PCCIO issue and recent controversies such as the preferential military leave granted to the son of Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae, which the opposition has been fiercely criticizing, were not discussed.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a greeting at the luncheon meeting hosted by National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok for the leaders of negotiation groups held at Sarangjae in the National Assembly on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

◆ Ruling party emphasizes 'Fair Economy 3 Laws' passage ? Opposition proposes 'National Assembly COVID-19 full inspection' = At the meeting, Leader Lee emphasized to Chairman Kim the passage of the 'Fair Economy 3 Laws,' including the full revision of the Commercial Act and the Monopoly Regulation and Fair Trade Act, and the enactment of the Financial Group Supervision Act, according to senior spokesperson Choi.

Leader Lee referred to Chairman Kim as "the undisputed Mr. Economic Democratization" and proposed, "If the Fair Economy 3 Laws submitted to the National Assembly can be passed through bipartisan agreement, it will be a significant advancement in economic democratization and a great achievement in political history." Chairman Kim responded, "There may be differences during discussions, but since we have similar provisions in our party platforms, we believe solutions can be found through consultation," senior spokesperson Choi conveyed.

Chairman Kim requested a full COVID-19 inspection of National Assembly members, spokesperson Kim said in a briefing. Chairman Kim stated, "There are quite a few people who view COVID-19 confirmed cases with skepticism outside. There is suspicion that the number of confirmed cases might be politically manipulated. If at least within the National Assembly everyone could be tested for COVID-19, that suspicion could be resolved."

In response, Leader Lee said, "It is unimaginable to doubt the number of confirmed cases. Please let the Speaker decide on the necessary measures for the National Assembly," and Speaker Park said, "If it does not raise issues of equality, we will consider discussing it," senior spokesperson Choi reported. However, he added that Speaker Park implied a subtle refusal by saying, "It would be difficult to conduct a full inspection of thousands of members of the National Assembly using budgetary resources."