Opposition Pressures National Assembly Speaker to 'Convene Plenary Session'... Full-Scale Security Offensive

Need to Question North Korea Drone Issue
"Attempting Private Contact with Ruling Party"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] The Democratic Party of Korea pressured the Speaker of the National Assembly to convene a plenary session, citing urgent inquiries related to the intrusion of North Korean drones into Yongsan and the economic crisis.

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party's floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly that "If the People Power Party continues to refuse its responsibilities as the ruling party until today, I earnestly request the Speaker of the National Assembly to make a decision," adding, "I hope the Speaker convenes a plenary session by tomorrow and proceeds with the voting procedure to conduct urgent inquiries."

Park Hong-geun, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He pointed out, "The security situation is not something we can afford to delay," and added, "Considering the worsening livelihood conditions due to the complex economic crisis, it is urgent to prepare countermeasures at the National Assembly level through related urgent inquiries."

Floor leader Park criticized the ruling party for being lukewarm about the January extraordinary session. He said, "The People Power Party remains immovable in 'neglecting people's livelihood and protecting the regime,'" and "Although there was a meeting between the floor leaders of both parties yesterday, the People Power Party flatly rejected conducting urgent inquiries." He continued, "The ruling party's behavior of neglecting and ignoring crises with various excuses such as 'It is military secret, let's hold the National Defense Committee meeting privately' deserves criticism."

However, since the Speaker of the National Assembly is scheduled to depart on the evening of the 12th for an overseas trip to Southeast Asia, it is uncertain whether he will accept the Democratic Party's request, so the convening of the plenary session may be delayed. Floor spokesperson Lee Su-jin said in a back briefing after the meeting, "Opening a plenary session is only possible if the Speaker makes a decision," and added, "It is an opportunity for both ruling and opposition parties to explain the current situation to the public in detail."

On that day, the floor spokesperson said there was no contact between the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to discuss the schedule for the January extraordinary session. He explained, "Even if it is unofficial, they are continuously attempting meetings and contacts."