Democratic Party "Agrees to Let People Power Party Chair the Legislation and Judiciary Committee... Response on Assembly Organization Due by 27th"

Park Hong-geun "Immediate abuse of Law Committee's system and self-amendment authority; if not possible now, then at least in the 21st National Assembly"

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 23rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on the 24th that he agrees to respect last year's agreement between the ruling and opposition floor leaders for the People Power Party to take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. He also demanded that the People Power Party respond by the 27th in support of this.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly in the afternoon, Floor Leader Park said, "The Democratic Party agrees that the People Power Party will take the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee as agreed upon by the floor leaders of both parties last year," adding, "In return, the People Power Party should also promise to implement the previous agreement between the two parties."

Park emphasized, "I reiterate that restoring trust is an essential condition for the normalization of the National Assembly," and said, "We will wait for an answer until the morning of the 27th."

He stated, "The responsibility of the National Assembly to overcome the current livelihood crisis is greater than ever," and added, "Trust between the ruling and opposition parties must be restored by implementing the agreed matters."

Regarding measures to prevent abuse of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee's authority, such as the prohibition of excessive use of systematic and self-examination, he said, "If the People Power Party does not agree to immediate improvements during this second half organizational process, we must prepare alternatives within the 21st National Assembly so that in the 22nd National Assembly, the vicious cycle of parliamentary deadlock and suspension over who chairs the Legislation and Judiciary Committee every two years can finally be eliminated."