Criteria for Negotiation Groups: 20 Seats... Plan to Form Jointly
Progressive Party and Other Progressive Forces Gather to Complete 20 Seats
Kim Bohyeop "Will Definitely Form Whether Alone or Jointly"
The Joguk Innovation Party, which will secure the position of the 'third largest party' in the 22nd National Assembly, is also aiming to become the 'third negotiation group.' To meet the requirement of 20 seats to form a negotiation group, they need 8 more seats, and a scenario of rallying minor parties within the same progressive camp is being actively discussed. Although there is also a plan to amend the National Assembly Act, it seems difficult due to opposition from the two major parties.
The Joguk Innovation Party is discussing plans to form a negotiation group by the end of May, when the 22nd National Assembly opens. On the 15th, spokesperson Kim Bohyeop said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Whether alone or jointly, we have a strong will to definitely form a negotiation group," adding, "There is still a month and a half until the opening, so for now, we are in the stage of researching and exploring potential partners for cooperation."
Proportional representation winners, including Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, visited the National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on the 12th to pay respects to the patriotic martyrs. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Under the current National Assembly Act, the requirement to form a negotiation group is 20 seats. If they become a negotiation group, the Joguk Innovation Party can be allocated chairmanships of standing committees during the formation of the Assembly and can also assign secretaries for each standing committee. This is essential for the Joguk Innovation Party to strengthen its offensive against the government and ruling party. Representative Jo Kuk has repeatedly declared that he will push the 'Han Dong-hoon Special Prosecutor Act' as the first bill of the 22nd National Assembly.
The most likely scenario is a 'joint negotiation group' that consolidates forces with minor parties in the broader progressive camp. Among the proportional representation seats allocated to the Democratic Union in this general election, excluding the seats belonging to the Democratic Party, there are 6 seats. The Progressive Party (Yoon Jong-oh, Jung Hye-kyung, Jeon Jong-deok), Basic Income Party (Yong Hye-in), Social Democratic Party (Han Chang-min), and seats recommended by civil society (Seo Mi-hwa, Kim Yoon) are included. Adding Kim Jong-min, a newly elected member from the Democratic Party, makes exactly 8 members, so the Joguk Innovation Party's plan for a 'joint negotiation group' is a scenario with considerable potential. Since the Joguk Innovation Party positions itself as the 'icebreaker' for the Democratic Party, some have mentioned 'loaning members,' but the general assessment is that this is unlikely in reality.
Another possibility is to amend the National Assembly Act to relax the 'negotiation group formation requirements.' On the 5th of last month, Representative Jo Kuk met with Yong Hye-in, then co-chair of the New Progressive Alliance, and argued that "the number of seats required for a negotiation group in the Assembly should be reduced from 20 to at least 10." Kim Min-seok, head of the Democratic Party's general election situation room, also announced on the 27th of the same month that relaxing the requirements for forming negotiation groups would be part of the Democratic Party's political reform pledges.
However, it is uncertain whether the two major parties will amend the National Assembly Act to allow the now larger Joguk Innovation Party to enter the negotiation group. From the Democratic Party's perspective, the prominence of the 'ally' Joguk Innovation Party could be a burden. A Democratic Party official said, "We agree on the necessity of amplifying the voices of minor parties," but added, "It is being considered as a task for the 22nd National Assembly, but it is not the stage for discussion right now."
On the 11th, elected members of the National Assembly, including Jo Guk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, marched in front of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul, urging the prosecution to investigate Mrs. Kim Geon-hee. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@
From today, the Joguk Innovation Party will hold a two-day workshop for elected members in Bongha Village, Gimhae City, Gyeongnam Province. A party official said, "At this event, serious discussions will begin between Representative Jo and the elected members about which parties to contact and cooperate with to form a negotiation group." In addition, the schedule includes a meeting with former President Moon Jae-in, a visit to the late former President Roh Moo-hyun's grave, and discussions on party leadership structure and parliamentary strategies.
Meanwhile, Representative Jo has officially proposed a meeting with President Yoon Suk-yeol. Through his Facebook page yesterday, he stated, "As the leader of the third largest party in the Assembly, I hope to meet President Yoon Suk-yeol at any time and in any format," adding, "There are things I want to say firmly and politely in a public meeting." He also criticized, "President Yoon did not meet before the general election because he aimed to arrest Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung. He must have believed that using the prosecution to eliminate political opponents would ensure victory in the general election and the reestablishment of the regime. Such a petty and sly thought."
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