野 "Actively Process Major Bills in the Temporary Session"... Express Willingness to Pass Extension of Safe Freight Rates System

Extension of Safe Freight Rates, Broadcasting Act, Standing Committee Discussions Begin
Kim Seong-hwan "Plan to Actively Address in the Extraordinary Session"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The opposition party has repeatedly emphasized its intention to pass key bills, which it has promoted as party policy, through each standing committee during this regular session of the National Assembly.

On the 6th, Kim Seong-hwan, the Policy Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the party's floor strategy meeting, "The Democratic Party plans to hold a Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee meeting within this week to begin reviewing bills on extending the Safe Freight Rate System and expanding its applicable items," adding, "The Yoon Seok-yeol administration must also sit down with the Cargo Solidarity to negotiate the expansion of the Safe Freight Rate System. If necessary, the ruling and opposition parties and the National Assembly should actively cooperate."

At a press briefing the same day, Chair Kim criticized, "We are currently discussing expanding the scope of the Safe Freight Rate System in the Land Committee, but members of the People Power Party are not participating," and said, "I wonder why that is."

He continued, "Originally, it was a promise made during the first strike five months ago, and the parties responsible should seriously discuss how many items and to what extent to apply it to resolve the current strike situation of cargo workers," adding, "Our party will actively mediate and coordinate this matter to minimize the logistics crisis."

He also explained other key bills under discussion in each standing committee. The Broadcasting Act (Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee), the Early Rehabilitation System for Bankruptcy (Legislation and Judiciary Committee), and the Youth Basic Act (Political Affairs Committee) have passed their respective committees, while the Privatization Prevention Act (Planning and Finance Committee) and the Legal Strike Guarantee Act (Environment and Labor Committee) have begun discussions.

Regarding this, Chair Kim explained, "The major legislation under discussion in each standing committee will be actively processed in the extraordinary session following the regular session."

However, concerning the possibility that the party’s key bills may not pass the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, he said, "There are quite a few bills that have been agreed upon by the standing committee members but are currently pending in the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for various reasons," and added, "We plan to submit these bills to the plenary session as soon as possible, considering the National Assembly Act procedures, so that legislative effects can be realized." He also forecasted the possibility of passage, saying, "For example, in the case of the Grain Management Act, if it is referred to the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and more than 60 days pass, it can be directly sent to the plenary session with the approval of three-fifths of the members of the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs and Fisheries Committee."