Park Hong-geun "Is the Public Administration Committee the People Power Party's share? ... The Democratic Party's wish, nothing confirmed"

"Leaving Open the Possibility of Not Completing Committee Formation Negotiations by the 21st"

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting fellow lawmakers after delivering the negotiation group representative speech at the plenary session held at the National Assembly on the 20th. 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 20th that "nothing has been finalized" regarding the negotiation for the organization of the National Assembly. He also expressed skepticism about the idea that the negotiation deadline would be concluded by tomorrow.

At a meeting with reporters that day, Park addressed the situation where it seemed that negotiation details related to standing committees were revealed through messages exchanged by a ruling party member during a plenary session, saying, "They are including their own wishes."

Earlier that day, during the National Assembly plenary session, a photo captured a member of the People Power Party exchanging messages about standing committees via mobile phone. The messages stated, "Seven standing committees are allocated, currently five chairpersons exist, and the remaining two are the Steering Committee and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which will be chaired by members Kwon Seong-dong and Kim Do-eup, respectively," and "The other five are Defense, Foreign Affairs and Unification, Intelligence, Public Administration and Security, and Strategy and Finance. The existing five chairpersons will serve for six months."

Park said, "Since the largest committee, the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, was given, they are asking for two (Public Administration and Security Committee and Science, ICT, Broadcasting and Communications Committee), but the other side keeps saying to choose only one," adding, "Yesterday, the Speaker of the National Assembly asked if the Steering Committee would be conceded to the People Power Party, but they said they cannot concede. The Democratic Party keeps urging to make new proposals, but the People Power Party is blocked and cannot make proposals."

Regarding reporters' remarks that the negotiation deadline might expire tomorrow, he said, "It is not a deadline but stated that active cooperation will continue until tomorrow," and added, "What can we do if the People Power Party does not cooperate?" This implies that the negotiation for the organization of the National Assembly may not conclude even by the 21st.