Negotiations on the Press Arbitration Act Stalled... Ruling Party May Consider Unilateral Submission

Yun Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, are holding final consultations on the plenary session submission of the "Media Arbitration Act Amendment" at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Jinyoung Jeon] As the ruling and opposition parties continue negotiations over the Media Arbitration Act (Amendment to the Act on Media Arbitration and Damage Relief), they are still facing difficulties in reaching an agreement on the 28th. They also hinted at the possibility of unilateral submission if negotiations fail.

Kim Jong-min, a member of the Democratic Party participating in the negotiation body, said to reporters during the talks, "If no agreement is reached, will the Democratic Party submit its own bill to the plenary session?" He replied, "That is a matter for the floor leader to decide." Han Byung-do, the senior deputy floor leader, also said, "There are many disagreements," and "If it doesn't go well, we will have to make a judgment," making the possibility of unilateral passage unavoidable.

The People Power Party also claims that key issues remain unresolved in the negotiations. Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said to reporters after the floor strategy meeting, "As you know, negotiations are ongoing," adding, "There is a meeting scheduled at 11 a.m. in the National Assembly Speaker's office between the senior deputy floor leaders of both parties, and whether an agreement is reached will be known after the meeting." Jeon Ju-hye, a member of the negotiation body, said, "We will try to reach an agreement, but there are so many contentious issues that it seems difficult," and "There may be another meeting in the afternoon, but the conclusion is uncertain."

However, the ruling party leadership declared on the same day that they would do their best to lead the negotiations. Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly in the morning, "We are meeting again this morning to continue negotiations. We will do our best to ensure it is passed," expressing this commitment. Park Wan-joo, chairman of the Policy Committee, also said at a press briefing held at the National Assembly in the morning, "I think the Media Arbitration Act, which is the most concerned issue, will be well resolved today. There is a high possibility it will be processed today." He added that the ruling and opposition parties are gradually reaching some agreements on the points where they have continued to show differences.

Chairman Park explained regarding the activation of correction reports and rebuttal reports, "It seems that some agreement has been reached," adding, "The specific provisions are not finalized yet, but it is quite meaningful." Regarding the right to request blocking of access, he said, "We are in the process of reaching an agreement, but it is difficult to say it is fully agreed upon." On the contentious punitive damages system, he added, "We are discussing how to handle it, and I cautiously expect that an agreement will be reached within today."