Joo Ho-young on 'Lee Jae-myung Shield' "No Need for Temporary National Assembly" Confrontation Between Ruling and Opposition Inevitable

The Ministry says, "We will hold a follow-up meeting once conclusions on current issues are reached"
Sunset laws including the Safe Freight Rate System also pose a risk

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] On the 1st, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, reiterated that the "January extraordinary session" of the National Assembly, which the Democratic Party of Korea is demanding to convene, is "not necessary."

Regarding the Democratic Party's insistence on immediately holding an extraordinary session, the ruling party views it as a shielded National Assembly session to maintain the non-arrest privilege of Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party leader, who has been summoned by the prosecution over allegations related to Seongnam FC sponsorship funds. This suggests that a confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties is inevitable in the new year.

After concluding the New Year's greeting event held at the Yeouido party headquarters, Floor Leader Joo told reporters, "According to the National Assembly Act, the Assembly does not convene in January and July, and regular and extraordinary sessions have been held since last September. If issues are discussed and conclusions reached, an extraordinary session can be held later."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He expressed the position that an extraordinary session should be convened to handle pending issues such as sunset bills and negotiations on the Government Organization Act once conclusions are reached.

Regarding the extension of the 'Itaewon Disaster State Audit,' which is set to end on the 7th, he emphasized, "It is possible only when it is further examined what is lacking and what is needed, and when the public agrees that the state audit should be extended."

The extreme confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over the budget bill until the end of last year is expected to continue this year as well.

Key issues likely to emerge include the Cargo Truck Transportation Business Act (extension of the Safe Freight Rate System), which has lapsed, amendments to the Broadcasting Act to change the governance structure of public broadcasting, and the 'Yellow Envelope Act,' which limits excessive damage claims by companies against striking workers.

The 3+3 policy consultative body between the ruling and opposition parties, aimed at revising the Government Organization Act and aligning the terms of public institution heads with the president's term, will resume on the 4th after a month. Negotiations between the parties over the abolition of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family are also expected to show little progress.