Delay in Scheduling Standing Committee Settlement and Other Meetings
Criticism That Role Has Become Ineffectual
Ruling and Opposition Parties Say "No Response," "Lack of Time"
[Asia Economy Reporters Junyi Park and Hyunju Lee] The Special Committee on Livelihood Economy Stabilization (Livelihood Special Committee), formed by the ruling and opposition parties to discuss legislation related to livelihood issues, has recently been in a state of "business suspension," raising concerns that it might end in futility. This is because each standing committee has begun budget settlement, and there is no strict need to insist on the form of a "Livelihood Special Committee" to handle the agenda.
According to political circles on the 19th, the Livelihood Special Committee held a plenary meeting on the 29th of last month and passed bills including additional expansion of the fuel tax reduction and an increase in the non-taxable limit for employee meal expenses, but has not scheduled the next meeting for 22 days. Recently, although the ruling and opposition parties have each emphasized "livelihood issues" and "cooperation," discussions in the committee formed for this purpose have been slow.
Some analyze that as the opening of the second half of the National Assembly is delayed, the Livelihood Special Committee, which was formed as a temporary measure, has become nominal and ineffective as the standing committees have been formed. A Democratic Party official pointed out, "Before the standing committees were formed, we created the Livelihood Special Committee to start policy consultations, but now that the National Assembly is open, its role is practically over."
The ruling and opposition parties still publicly emphasize the necessity of the Livelihood Special Committee. Kim Seonghwan, the opposition party's secretary, said, "After agreeing on the second half's organizational structure, there was a slight pause, and we agreed to meet when the budget settlement National Assembly opens," adding, "I asked the ruling party secretary for their opinion on how to proceed, but have not yet received a response."
However, the ruling party rebutted that the Democratic Party is not scheduling meetings. A People Power Party official said, "Each standing committee is currently conducting budget settlements, and the Budget and Accounts Special Committee will be held soon, so it is true that there is little time to schedule meetings this month," but added, "The Democratic Party is refusing." Kim explained, "The special committee's activity period is until the end of October, so I expect one or two bills to be processed."
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