Kim Ki-hyun: "It is common sense for the opposition to chair the Legislation and Judiciary Committee... Start normalizing the National Assembly through action"

Kim Ki-hyun, Floor Leader of the People Power Party / Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, raised his voice toward the Democratic Party of Korea, demanding "to return the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."

On the 18th, through Facebook, Floor Leader Kim stated, "I hope the Democratic Party will change into a party that is reasonable, sensitive to public opinion, and recognizes the opposition not just in words but through actions as a counterpart."

He said, "For the country to prosper, both the ruling and opposition parties must play their respective roles while maintaining checks and balances. It is common sense that, following established traditions starting with the National Assembly, the opposition should take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. However, the Democratic Party is still greedily monopolizing the chairmanships of standing committees, including the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."

Floor Leader Kim continued, "If Song Young-gil, leader of the Democratic Party, truly intends to reform the party, he should first put into practice normalizing the National Assembly, which is the basic foundation of legislative activities, in accordance with common sense. If even this basic measure is not implemented, then the words about change and reform that Leader Song speaks of will be nothing more than slogans."

Meanwhile, at the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting held that morning, Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung said, "We will start by correcting the abnormal situation in the National Assembly caused by the breakdown of negotiations over the organization of the 21st National Assembly. We will return the chairmanships of the Standing Committees on Political Affairs, Land, Education, Culture and Sports, Environment and Labor, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Budget and Accounts. However, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which the People Power Party has stubbornly demanded for a year while calling it 'stolen goods,' is not subject to negotiation."