Jinseongjun "If People Power Party Does Not Compromise, Steps Will Be Taken to Normalize the National Assembly"... Suggests Solo Election of Speaker on the 1st

"If the People Power Party presents a reasonable compromise proposal, we are willing to consider it"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] Jin Seong-jun, the senior deputy floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said on the 29th regarding the negotiations for the second half of the National Assembly organization, "We will do our best to reach an agreement on the organization until the very end," but added, "If the People Power Party ultimately refuses to compromise, then we will have no choice but to proceed with the normalization process of the National Assembly." This is interpreted as suggesting the possibility of the Democratic Party electing the Speaker of the National Assembly alone at the July extraordinary session starting on the 1st of next month.

Jinseongjun, Senior Deputy Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

On the same day, Jin said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' in response to the host's question, "Does the normalization process mean the sole election of the Speaker of the National Assembly?" that "That is the first step," and made the statement.

Jin explained, "Since the Democratic Party has requested the convocation, the extraordinary session will be convened as of July 1," and added, "On the day the convocation is announced, the plenary session must be held."

When asked if it would be possible to proceed with the agenda by temporarily appointing a Speaker of the National Assembly, he replied, "I think there is no need to do that. The Speaker must be formally elected."

On the same day, Jin pointed out that two conditions have not been accepted: the submission of the list for the Special Committee on Judicial Reform and the withdrawal of the People Power Party's constitutional complaint filed with the Constitutional Court regarding the so-called 'complete removal of prosecution's investigative authority' (Geomsu Wanbak) bill. He emphasized, "The Democratic Party will also fulfill the promise made by the former floor leader to hand over the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, so the People Power Party should also fulfill the agreements they have made."

Jin explained, "The submission of the list for the Special Committee on Judicial Reform and its operation is an agreement signed after approval by the party caucuses of both parties," and added, "To guarantee the implementation, then Speaker Park Byeong-seok also signed it. Therefore, the demand is to implement the agreement as it stands."

Regarding the prosecution reform law, the so-called Geomsu Wanbak bill, he said, "The floor leaders of both parties agreed and the Speaker signed the agreement to process the prosecution reform law, but since the People Power Party filed a lawsuit claiming it is unconstitutional, this denies the agreement." He added, "To implement the agreement, they should properly withdraw that lawsuit."

When asked about the possibility of the People Power Party bringing a compromise proposal, he replied, "If the People Power Party presents a compromise plan that the Democratic Party can accept, we are willing to consider it."