Scheduled for the 28th Plenary Session, but Clear Differences Between Ruling and Opposition Parties
[Asia Economy reporters Naju Seok, Oh Jooyeon, Kim Youngwon] Negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties regarding the ‘sunset law,’ which expires at the end of this year, have reached a stalemate. The sunset law is a regulation that stipulates that government projects or organizations are automatically abolished after a predetermined period unless the legislative body takes separate action.
The opposition party has proposed a comprehensive agreement linking a three-year extension of the Cargo Truck Safety Freight Rate System, but the ruling party has drawn a line, saying it is difficult to continue negotiations. It is highly likely that only non-contentious bills such as the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act will pass the plenary session on the 28th.
Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
On the 27th, Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, "The Yoon Seok-yeol government and the People Power Party have resorted to ‘foot-dragging’ even on the ‘sunset law,’ which the ruling and opposition parties agreed to handle by a set deadline," adding, "Yesterday, the People Power Party again poured cold water on the agreement by saying that the extension of the Safety Freight Rate System’s sunset is meaningless." Park asserted, "The government and ruling party must keep their promise to extend the Safety Freight Rate System for three years," and added, "If the government keeps its promise on the Safety Freight Rate System, the sunset law and urgent livelihood economic bills can also be processed within the deadline."
Earlier, the ruling and opposition parties agreed on the 22nd to handle the budget direction along with the National Health Insurance Act (+ National Health Promotion Act), the Cargo Truck Transportation Business Act, the Labor Standards Act, the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act, and the Gas Corporation Act at the plenary session on the 28th.
Park mentioned that the government and ruling party had initially proposed a three-year extension of the Safety Freight Rate System, saying, "The government’s promise is not a petty contest among small-minded people, but if it makes promises to the people and then tries to reset everything to zero using excuses, how can the people trust the government’s promises?" Regarding the amendment to the Health Insurance Act, which stipulates government subsidies for the National Health Insurance Fund, he said, "If the ruling and opposition parties have in-depth discussions this time, it can rather shed the stigma of being a ‘patchwork measure,’" adding, "Since the support costs are reflected in next year’s budget, there is no shortage of time for discussion." On the Labor Standards Act, which stipulates a postponement of the 52-hour workweek implementation for businesses with fewer than 30 employees, he said, "It is not too late for the government to first implement administrative and budgetary support such as a guidance period and then discuss it."
Although Park has shown willingness to negotiate, the ruling party’s response remains cold.
On the same day, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, said at the People Power Party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, "It is difficult to continue negotiations on the sunset (law)," adding, "Both parties have almost expressed their opinions on the sunset, and it is difficult to find common ground." Joo said, "Considering the plenary session on the 28th, it is judged that the sunset will almost certainly not be extended," and added, "Regarding the Safety Freight Rate System, we have no intention to extend it, and the government also thinks the name itself is wrong, so along with various system improvements, there are plans to restructure the system again, so we do not agree to extend the sunset. Regarding additional extension related to workers, the Democratic Party does not agree either," concluding, "These two laws are expected to sunset."
Regarding the Health Insurance Act, he drew a line, saying, "Even if the law does not exist, it does not mean support cannot be provided, and since there is time, even if there is a sunset, if an agreement is reached afterward, a law that can provide support can be made. It seems there will be no additional agreement or negotiation on the sunset-related law."
Regarding the sunset laws expected to be processed at the plenary session on the 28th, Joo added, "I understand that only non-contentious bills, including the Korea Electric Power Corporation Act and the Gas Corporation Act, will be handled by the Industry, Trade, Energy, Small and Medium Business Committee."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
