Differences Emerge at Meeting of Two Party Floor Leaders
Speaker of the National Assembly Likely to Decide Following Parliamentary Procedures
Yellow Envelope Act Vote Scheduled to Proceed
The Democratic Party of Korea and the opposition displayed differing stances on the resolution regarding the discharge of contaminated water from Fukushima and the fast-track designation of the Itaewon disaster special law, which the Democratic Party is pushing to be placed on the plenary session agenda on the 30th. The People Power Party blocked both issues, calling them "unagreed matters," leaving the decision on whether to place them on the plenary session agenda once again to the discretion of the Speaker of the National Assembly.
The floor leaders of both parties met with the Speaker in the Speaker's office in the morning to discuss the agenda for the plenary session scheduled for the afternoon.
The People Power Party expressed opposition to the Democratic Party's request to include on the plenary session agenda at 2 p.m. the resolution titled "Withdrawal of the Fukushima Contaminated Water Discharge Plan and Urging Measures to Ensure Seafood Safety and Protect Fishermen" and the fast-track designation of the Itaewon disaster special law.
After the meeting, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "From our party's standpoint, handling a resolution that has not been agreed upon is not only ineffective but also goes against the customary practice of handling resolutions in the National Assembly." He added, "We agreed with Park Kwang-on, the Democratic Party floor leader, that the chief deputy floor leaders of both parties will continue discussions on the content after this time."
Regarding the fast-track designation of the Itaewon disaster special law, he explained, "We concluded that it is difficult to place an agenda item that has not been agreed upon by both parties. Park, from the Democratic Party, expressed the intention to handle it according to the National Assembly Act procedures." He added, "Since there is a difference in positions between the two parties, if the Democratic Party proceeds according to the National Assembly Act procedures, it is expected that the Speaker will decide what to do."
Floor leader Park said, "If we miss this timing, it will be difficult to address this issue in the 21st National Assembly, so I expressed the intention to push for the agreement to designate it as a fast-track agenda item."
At the plenary session that day, a vote is expected on whether to refer the Yellow Envelope Act (amendment to the Labor Union Act) to the plenary session. Floor leader Park stated, "Since the Environment and Labor Committee of the National Assembly decided to refer it directly to the plenary session, the decision on whether to place it on the plenary session agenda will proceed according to the National Assembly Act procedures," adding, "It will be done today."
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