Kwon Seong-dong: "If the Democratic Party promises to elect standing committee chairs by agreement, we will cooperate in electing the chairmanship today"

"Sagae Special Committee will no longer propose if it does not agree to the 5:5 equal rule"
Democratic Party expected to discuss at the 1:30 PM lawmakers' meeting

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is giving a speech at an emergency party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Kwon Hyun-ji] Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, promised on the 4th that if the Democratic Party agrees not to forcibly elect the standing committee chairs, they would cooperate in electing the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the National Assembly.

After an emergency party meeting that day, Floor Leader Kwon said, "There were many concerns about the Democratic Party unilaterally electing the Speaker and then the Speaker unilaterally appointing the standing committee chairs at will. If they promise to elect the standing committee chairs through bipartisan agreement, we will cooperate in electing the Speaker and Deputy Speakers, and I will reopen the party meeting to persuade the members accordingly."

He added, "If the Democratic Party floor leader promises that the standing committee chairs will not be elected unilaterally but through bipartisan agreement, we will cooperate in the full election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers."

Regarding the initial proposal to form the Special Committee on Judicial Reform with equal numbers from both parties, he said, "If the Democratic Party cannot accept this, we will no longer discuss the Special Committee on Judicial Reform. Since it is completely unrelated to the formation of the National Assembly, we will not discuss it further."

When asked by reporters whether the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is assumed to be held by the People Power Party, he replied, "Of course," and added, "The Democratic Party’s emergency committee chair or floor leader has repeatedly said that it is the People Power Party’s share and that they will give it to us, so we trust those statements."

Regarding this proposal, Floor Leader Kwon explained that he had communicated it via phone call to Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party. Park responded by saying, "We will discuss it," according to Kwon.

At 1:30 PM that day, the Democratic Party plans to discuss the handling of the plenary session. The People Power Party will also resume its party meeting to continue discussions.