Move to Force Media Arbitration Act Sparks Opposition Backlash... Lee Jun-seok Says "Kicking Away the Framework of Cooperation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] As the National Assembly's Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee plenary session shows signs of forcibly passing the "Act on the Mediation and Relief of Damage in the Press" (Press Mediation Act), the opposition party is vehemently opposing it.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, at the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee plenary session, as the Press Mediation Act, which was unilaterally processed by the ruling party at the agenda adjustment committee the previous day, showed signs of passing, the leadership of the People Power Party visited the standing committee chairpersons to protest.

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, said, "The appointment of standing committee chairpersons by the floor leadership was an important decision by the People Power Party for the people," and criticized, "Forcibly passing the Press Mediation Act is like waking people up before the ink on the agreement has dried." He condemned, "The attempt to forcibly pass the Press Mediation Act this time will be remembered negatively in history, and the ruling party and the Blue House are kicking away the framework of cooperation that the floor leadership had prepared with great determination for the people."

People Power Party lawmakers condemned, saying, "Legislative dictatorship Democratic Party, wake up." Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "In the National Assembly where democracy should function, they are trampling democracy again and trying to forcibly pass a law that infringes on the people's right to know through a rush vote," and added, "The People Power Party will unite tightly and do its utmost to use all means to block the passage of the gag law on the press."

People Power Party lawmakers carried placards claiming "null and void." The Press Mediation Act remains on the agenda of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee, with the ruling and opposition parties engaged in a fierce battle.