People Power Party "Committed to Productive Legislative Activities"
Democratic Party Processes 119 Coexisting Bills in Regular National Assembly
The ruling and opposition parties will engage in a policy showdown at the regular National Assembly session starting from the 1st of next month. The People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea each concluded their respective 1-night, 2-day retreats and workshops, attended by most of their members, reaffirming their determination to secure victory in next year's general election through legislation at this year's regular session. In particular, the People Power Party pledged to implement the three major reforms of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and to smoothly advance national agenda tasks, while the Democratic Party emphasized seven legislative tasks prepared by its internal livelihood organization, Minsaeng Chaeum, expressing their resolve to win the general election.
On the 29th, the People Power Party wrapped up its two-day retreat held at the Incheon International Airport Corporation Human Resources Development Institute by adopting a resolution containing strategies for responding to the September regular session and directions for preparing for next year's general election. Through the resolution, the People Power Party stated, "We will strongly respond to fake news, rumors, and other inflammatory politics, but avoid political strife, prioritize people's livelihood, and devote ourselves to productive legislative activities." They also said, "Together with the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, we will promote the three major reforms in pensions, labor, and education, and lead the sustainable growth of Korea for the next 100 years through legislation on national agenda tasks." Furthermore, they emphasized, "We must restore public trust through party stability and unity, and lay the foundation for political and parliamentary change in next year's general election," adding, "As a competent economic party, we must enhance economic vitality and resolve livelihood issues to present hope and vision to the people."
The previous day, the People Power Party discussed legislative tasks through subcommittee discussions by ministers, vice ministers, and lawmakers by standing committee. The Planning and Finance Committee reportedly discussed the National Finance Act, focusing on the introduction of fiscal rules. During the subcommittee discussions, it was conveyed that although the current fiscal policy is tight, welfare for the vulnerable must be fulfilled. The Legislation and Judiciary Committee is preparing a bill for 'life imprisonment without parole' in response to recent indiscriminate murders. Additionally, legislative preparations are expected regarding employment visas for foreign workers. The Education Committee is expected to address the Elementary and Secondary Education Act related to the collective memorial service for teachers at Seoi Elementary School on September 4, the Private University Structural Improvement Support Act, and the Special Education Act for the Disabled. Furthermore, the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee is expected to handle bills related to the Yangpyeong Expressway, and the Environment and Labor Committee will likely address measures to prevent abuse of the comprehensive wage system, policies related to flood damage, and the Act on Registration and Evaluation of Chemicals (Chemical Safety Act).
The Democratic Party concluded its 1-night, 2-day workshop held at Oak Valley in Wonju, Gangwon Province, putting 'livelihood legislation' at the forefront. In a resolution announced in the morning, the Democratic Party pledged, "We will fill livelihoods and protect the people," presenting eight promises including "strongly promoting the 'Livelihood Economic Recovery Package Act,' the Democratic Party's people-centered budget, and just tax law amendments to fill people's lives with livelihood." They also emphasized, "We will lead an economic vision to overcome the low-growth recession crisis through technological innovation for innovative growth, fostering future industries, creating good jobs, responding to the climate crisis and green growth, and diversifying export markets."
The previous day, the Democratic Party selected 119 key bills to be processed during the regular session, naming them the 'Coexistence and Symbiosis 119' bills. They explained that these bills were selected based on major policy materials received from the party think tank, the Democratic Research Institute, and the Euljiro Committee, as well as proposals from National Assembly standing committees and individual lawmakers, using the seven legislative tasks of the Minsaeng Chaeum group and other bills as a basis. Kim Han-gyu, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, stated, "In response to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's three 'no's (incompetence, irresponsibility, no measures), there was a discussion that the Democratic Party must demonstrate competence, responsibility, and seek alternatives."
Among the 119 bills, the Democratic Party is expected to prioritize the seven legislative tasks prepared based on the results of the Minsaeng Chaeum group, a temporary internal livelihood organization that operated for one month and visited various sites. The seven legislative tasks introduced by the Democratic Party are ▲Heatwave Worker Protection Act ▲Innovation Growth Support Act ▲Teacher Rights Protection Act to prevent indiscriminate child abuse reports ▲Livelihood Economic Recovery Package Act including expansion of credit loans for low-credit borrowers ▲Small and Medium Enterprise Investment Activation Act ▲Venture Business Promotion Act ▲Protection Act for Small Construction Business Operators.
Separately, the party is expected to further strengthen its offensive regarding the Fukushima nuclear power plant contaminated water. On this day, the Democratic Party issued a special resolution titled 'Emergency Action Against Fukushima Nuclear Material Contaminated Water Marine Dumping,' declaring, "From this moment, the Democratic Party declares a 'National Safety Emergency' and enters an 'Emergency Response System.'" The Democratic Party emphasized, "We will proactively prepare legislation to prevent national damage," and "Regardless of opposition from the government and the People Power Party, we will immediately proceed with the legislative process starting with the four special safety measures laws together with the people."
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