People Power Party: "Unable to Form the Assembly, 'Safe Freight Rate System' Discussion Impossible... Democratic Party Only Criticizing the New Government"

"Because of the Democratic Party Holding Up the Legislation Committee"
We Must Organize the Assembly Considering the Difficulties of People's Livelihoods

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th, greeting lawmakers./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Boryeong Geum] On the 10th, the People Power Party publicly criticized the Democratic Party of Korea, stating that due to the latter's delay in agreeing on the National Assembly's organizational structure, they have been unable to even discuss matters related to the strike by the Cargo Solidarity Headquarters of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Public Transport Workers' Union.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, held a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on the same day and said, "The Democratic Party is ignoring the hardships of people's livelihoods and difficulties in the industrial field, unilaterally siding with the Cargo Solidarity and focusing on attacking the new government," raising his voice by adding, "Contrary to the Democratic Party's claim, the new government has never responded sluggishly. How can a government that is barely a month old be slow?"

Kwon also pointed out, "The core demand of the Cargo Solidarity is the complete abolition of the sunset clause on the safe freight rate system, and it was promised that the review of whether to extend it would be reported to the National Assembly by early this year," adding, "However, the Democratic Party did nothing when it was the ruling party earlier this year, but as soon as the administration changed, they raised their voices to legislate it."

He continued, "The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has formed a related task force and is waiting to report to the National Assembly, but since the delay in organizing the National Assembly, the report has been postponed," blaming "the Democratic Party holding up the Legislation and Judiciary Committee."

Seong Il-jong, chairman of the Policy Committee, also said, "Kim Seong-hwan, policy committee chairman of the Democratic Party, said that the Cargo Transport Business Act, which was proposed, was not even submitted to the subcommittee and that the government and ruling party are just waiting for the sunset clause to expire," and questioned, "The amendment to abolish the sunset clause of the safe freight rate system related to the Cargo Transport Business Act, proposed by Representative Jo Oh-seop and others, was submitted in March 2021, and at that time, the chairperson of the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee was Jin Sun-mi of the Democratic Party. Who is it that did not submit it to the subcommittee?"

Seong further emphasized, "It was the Democratic Party and the Moon Jae-in administration that only pushed the law forward without actively working on amendments for matters requiring sufficient opinions from related parties," and stressed, "The Democratic Party should reconsider the difficulties of people's livelihoods and, above all, urgently organize the National Assembly to discuss the bill promptly."