與 "March 1 'Lee Jae-myung Bulletproof Commemoration Day' Not Allowed... Held on the 6th" vs 野 "1st" (Summary)

People Power Party Submits Convening Request for March Extraordinary National Assembly Starting on the 6th
Democratic Party Claims the 1st... Convening Request to Be Submitted Tomorrow

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon, Lee Hyun-joo] The People Power Party submitted a 'March Extraordinary Session Convening Request' on the 23rd, with the session set to begin on the 6th of next month. However, the Democratic Party insists on starting the session from the 1st, setting the stage for a power struggle over the start date of the March extraordinary session.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Mi-ae, the floor spokesperson for the People Power Party, explained on the day, "The convening request submitted under the names of Floor Leader Joo Ho-young and 114 others asked to hold the extraordinary session starting March 6," adding, "If necessary, standing committees can be held for several days until March 5 to thoroughly address public livelihood issues."

The People Power Party argues that since the parliamentary immunity from arrest applies only during the session, Leader Lee should be given time to undergo a warrant review without immunity after the February extraordinary session ends.

Spokesperson Kim stated, "The Democratic Party insists that the March extraordinary session should start immediately on March 1, right after the February session ends, without any gaps," criticizing, "The Democratic Party is using public livelihood as an excuse to ensure that the March extraordinary session leaves no room for cracks to protect Lee Jae-myung."

She added, "March 1 is a day to honor the noble spirit of the patriotic martyrs," emphasizing, "It cannot be turned into a 'Lee Jae-myung leader’s shield commemoration day' for a criminal suspect."

On the other hand, the Democratic Party plans to submit a convening request for the March extraordinary session tomorrow, proposing to start the session from the 1st of next month. Earlier, Floor Spokesperson Oh Young-hwan stated, "The convening of the March extraordinary session is specified in the Act on the Operation of the National Assembly, including the annual schedule," and added, "According to the National Assembly Act, it will proceed on March 1."

The National Assembly Act stipulates that extraordinary sessions are to be held on the 1st of each month from February to June, and on the 16th of August, with the opening date usually decided by mutual agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. The floor leaders of both parties discussed the March extraordinary session schedule at a meeting chaired by Speaker Kim Jin-pyo the previous day but failed to reach a conclusion due to differences over the opening date.

At the meeting, Park Hong-geun, the Democratic Party floor leader, told reporters, "We exchanged opinions regarding the March extraordinary session, but the Democratic Party insists on holding it on March 1 as specified by the National Assembly Act, while the People Power Party believes starting on the 6th is appropriate. We confirmed this difference in stance."