Chairman Kim Jin-pyo and Representative Lee Jeong-mi Meet in Turn
Kim: "Hope for a Compromise Between Ruling and Opposition Parties"
Emphasizing Unity with Justice Party on 'Giving Up Privileges'
On the 20th, Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the People Power Party, met consecutively with Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, and Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, pledging cooperation. However, during this process, Speaker Kim made a pointed joke saying, "There is a lack of effort to persuade the opposition," and Leader Lee also demanded legislative cooperation on issues such as the Yellow Envelope Act, foreshadowing a difficult relationship between the ruling and opposition parties.
He further emphasized, "The party holding an absolute majority in the National Assembly should refrain from handling matters in a one-way manner." This was in reference to the recent attempts by the Democratic Party of Korea to push through the Grain Management Act and the '50 Billion Club and Kim Geon-hee Special Prosecutor Act' despite opposition from the People Power Party, leveraging their overwhelming number of seats.
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is shaking hands with Kim Jin-pyo, Speaker of the National Assembly, at the Speaker's office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Speaker Kim agreed with Leader Kim's remarks but pointed out, "The last year of President Kim Dae-jung's term was a period of minority government," adding, "(At that time, the ruling party) actively persuaded the opposition. Isn't there a lack of such efforts now?"
At the meeting with Leader Lee, Leader Kim proposed cooperation on common interests between the two parties, such as relinquishing parliamentary privileges.
Leader Kim first mentioned that the Justice Party had expressed support based on party consensus during the process of handling the arrest motion against Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, saying, "The Justice Party faced attacks because of that, but I thought you have been steadfastly walking that difficult path." He added, "In that regard, our party also thinks we can align well with the Justice Party in relinquishing parliamentary privileges, including the immunity from arrest, and ending the wrongful practices of hiding behind immunity."
Leader Lee responded to Leader Kim's mention of 'parliamentary immunity from arrest' by saying, "Relinquishing privileges starts with oneself," and added, "I hope this becomes an opportunity for the Justice Party, the Democratic Party, and the People Power Party to reflect on whether they have enough courage to give up such privileges, not as a means of attacking others but starting with themselves."
She continued, "I listened with great expectation to your statement on the morning news that 'the People Power Party will move forward as a party prioritizing people's livelihood,' and just as you promised cooperation for people's livelihood during your visit to the Democratic Party, I promise to cooperate with the Justice Party in creating politics that prioritize people's livelihood."
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is shaking hands with Lee Jeong-mi, leader of the Justice Party, at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
On the same day, Leader Lee requested cooperation on the passage of the Yellow Envelope Act, the eradication of the comprehensive wage system, expansion of the Labor Standards Act to workplaces with fewer than five employees, and electoral reform to strengthen representativeness and proportionality.
It was reported that the two party leaders held related discussions during a private meeting. Yoo Sang-beom, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters after the visit, "The Justice Party expressed a position requesting the People Power Party's participation in discussions on the Yellow Envelope Act, and Leader Kim only responded that 'each party has its own position,'" adding, "No special discussions followed."
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