Leading Negotiation Group Representative Speech Raises 'Yoon Government Judgment Theory'
"Democracy Regressed and Livelihoods on the Brink of Collapse in 2 Years"
Emphasizing Livelihood and Cooperation... "Let's Proceed with Necessary Legislative Processes"
Hong Ik-pyo, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized, saying, "After two years of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, democracy, including freedom of the press, has regressed, and the economy and people’s livelihoods are on the brink of collapse." At the same time, he repeatedly urged communication between the ruling and opposition parties by presenting the keywords 'tolerance and cooperation.'
In a negotiation group representative speech held at the National Assembly plenary session on the morning of the 20th, Floor Leader Hong pointed out, "There is no trace of fairness and common sense that President Yoon Seok-yeol promised to the people," and said, "Due to the government’s arrogance and dogmatism, politics has lost its function of compromise and agreement and is trapped in extreme confrontation, hatred, and hostility." This is interpreted as an intention to raise the 'regime judgment theory' 50 days before the general election.
Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly plenary session on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
He said, "The Democratic Party also bears responsibility for not living up to the support and expectations sent by the people in the past," but emphasized, "The only alternative force that can overcome the crisis currently facing the Republic of Korea is the Democratic Party." He then appealed repeatedly for support for the opposition in the general election, saying, "If even the legislature falls to arrogant and ruthless power, there will be no hope left."
He also mentioned recent incidents of forced removal, such as a graduate being forcibly dragged out at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) graduation ceremony attended by President Yoon Seok-yeol. Floor Leader Hong criticized, "Our people witnessed the tragic scene where a member of the National Assembly and KAIST graduates were gagged and dragged out with their limbs lifted just because they voiced their opinions to the president."
Despite criticism of the government, he repeatedly emphasized 'politics of tolerance and cooperation' toward the ruling party. He praised, "Where has the conservative economic capability that created the Miracle on the Han River gone, and where has the conservative diplomatic ability that opened the shipping routes of a trading powerhouse gone? If we prioritize reviving the Korean economy and the safety of the people, these are all things that conservative governments and conservative parties can do well."
Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly plenary session on the 20th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
In particular, emphasizing that the ruling and opposition parties share important issues such as general election pledges, he proposed, "Let’s not claim ownership of policies and proceed with the necessary legislative process immediately without waiting until after the general election to give new hope to the people." In addition, he called for a '3C-type partnership leader' and presented conditions such as ▲Cooperation ▲Coordination ▲Communication. Furthermore, as 'political cooperation tasks for the future,' he proposed four agendas: ▲fair economy ▲innovative economy ▲response to the climate crisis ▲countermeasures for low birthrate.
Floor Leader Hong said, "Let’s start politics of tolerance and cooperation right from today," and added, "If the people communicate and the ruling and opposition parties communicate, I believe the day will come when politics becomes the dreams and hopes of the people and a balancer that adjusts conflicts." He continued, "Despite the irresponsibility and immaturity of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, the national system has not collapsed yet thanks to the mature democratic participation consciousness of our people," and repeatedly emphasized, "Now, regardless of ruling or opposition, progressives or conservatives, politics must prepare for the future based on a tolerant attitude and cooperation."
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