Kim Young-joo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, "I will take the lead in restoring parliamentary politics that emphasize dialogue and compromise"

"A Critical Time to Fully Mobilize the Diplomatic Capabilities of the National Assembly"
"Communication and Cooperation Between Ruling and Opposition Parties Are More Important Than Ever"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Young-joo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, promised on the 4th, "I will work together with the members here to create a National Assembly that cares for the weary and exhausted lives of the people, a National Assembly that empowers the people, and a National Assembly trusted by the people."

After being elected as the Deputy Speaker of the second half of the 21st National Assembly during the plenary session that day, Deputy Speaker Kim pledged in his acceptance speech, "I will take the lead in restoring parliamentary politics through National Assembly operations that emphasize dialogue and compromise."

He said, "The second half of the National Assembly was supposed to convene on the 1st of last month, but negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties were prolonged and not smoothly resolved, resulting in a one-month stalemate. I sincerely apologize to the people for this." He added, "It is especially regrettable that the National Assembly did not convene to urgently address livelihood issues while the people are facing the triple crisis of high exchange rates, high prices, and high interest rates."

He stated, "What the people expect from our National Assembly to overcome the crisis facing the Republic of Korea is clear," and said, "They want the ruling and opposition parties to stop wasteful political strife and transform the National Assembly into one that cares for the people's livelihood." Kim said, "They urge us to revive the economy of the common people in crisis and to become a working National Assembly that proactively responds to rapidly changing international affairs," adding, "To this end, we must first strengthen legislative policies and activities in the National Assembly to respond to the people's demands."

Deputy Speaker Kim noted, "The Russia-Ukraine war, the global supply chain crisis, and changes in the global security cooperation system are also major crises for the Republic of Korea," and said, "This is an urgent time when the government as well as the National Assembly must mobilize all diplomatic capabilities." He emphasized, "Overcoming the imminent external crises is difficult with efforts from only one side of the ruling or opposition parties," and said, "The National Assembly must respond in a bipartisan manner." In particular, he said, "For the legislative branch, which is one pillar of state governance, to fulfill its role faithfully, communication and cooperation between the ruling and opposition parties are more important than anything else."

At the National Assembly level, he said, "I will do my best to find my role in expanding policy support to enhance the policy expertise of National Assembly members."