Yeo: "Giving up the position of Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair is a choice made by the People Power Party themselves"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] On the 3rd, the Democratic Party of Korea criticized Kim Ki-hyun, the new floor leader of the People Power Party, for comparing the position of the chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee to "stolen goods" and demanding that it be returned to the People Power Party, stating, "Giving up the position was the People Power Party's own choice."

Han Jun-ho, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, said in a briefing that afternoon, "Once again, the National Assembly is becoming a battleground for political strife due to Floor Leader Kim's tantrum."

Han, the floor spokesperson, pointed out, "It is a well-known fact that the ruling party was to take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the first half of the National Assembly," adding, "It is truly regrettable that the main opposition party is now likening the chairmanship to stolen goods and demanding it back."

He continued, "The chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee was decided according to the National Assembly Act and the results of negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties during the first half organization of the National Assembly," and "There is also a precedent where Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the then-ruling party, was elected as the first chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the 20th National Assembly inaugurated during the Park Geun-hye administration."

He then expressed "strong regret over the opposition party's attempt to use tricks to obstruct the government and the National Assembly," and added, "We hope the People Power Party will also stop trying to turn the Legislation and Judiciary Committee into a battleground for political strife."