Park Hong-geun Proposes "3+3 TV Public Debate" on Rice Price Normalization to Ruling Party

"President Yoon Explains the Grain Management Act Amendment with Veto Power
in Front of the Entire Nation"

On the 6th, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed a TV public debate to the People Power Party regarding the normalization of rice prices. The idea is to explain to the entire nation the purpose and reality of the 'Amendment to the Grain Management Act,' which President Yoon Seok-yeol exercised his first veto against. The Democratic Party plans to push for a re-vote on the amendment to the Grain Management Act at the plenary session on the 13th.

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Policy Coordination Meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 6th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Park Hong-geun, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "We propose to the People Power Party a 'TV public debate for the normalization of rice prices and securing food sovereignty,' with three participants each from the floor leaders, policy committee chairs, and the National Assembly Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, and Oceans Committee secretaries of both parties."

Floor leader Park said, "The Democratic Party does not want an unreasonable power struggle. We only want a genuine policy confrontation for the people's livelihood," and emphasized, "Since the re-vote on the veto of the (Grain Management Act amendment) must be handled at the plenary session on the 13th, it should proceed swiftly."

He added, "Since the president claims that it was unilaterally handled in the National Assembly, the Democratic Party's proposal for a TV debate could be a reasonable answer."

Floor leader Park pressured, saying, "While President Yoon and the ruling party distort the situation absurdly by calling it a 'law that unconditionally purchases surplus rice,' we will thoroughly explain the purpose and reality of the law in front of the people," and added, "There was enough time and opportunity to discuss it in the National Assembly, but the ruling party and government, who have unilaterally avoided it, now face their last chance."

He said, "If the ruling party even avoids a public policy debate with the Democratic Party, they should at least keep a minimum political conscience in the 'veto re-vote,'" and warned, "If this time as well they remain a 'sunflower party' and only repeat 'Yongsan line-drawing,' the people's patience will exceed its limit."