Jojong-sik Officially Announces Candidacy for National Assembly Speaker... "Democratic Party Should Lead the Legislation and Administration Committees"

Cho Jung-sik, Secretary General of the Democratic Party of Korea, officially announced his candidacy for the Speaker of the 22nd National Assembly's first half, stating on the 22nd, "I will take on the necessary role befitting the achievement of reform in the National Assembly and the accomplishment of various livelihood legislative tasks led by the Democratic Party."

At a farewell press conference on the same day, Secretary General Cho said, "The Democratic Party must hold the position of the Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the gatekeeper of legislation, and the most important Steering Committee in the operation of the National Assembly."

Earlier, on the 19th, Secretary General Cho resigned en masse along with other Democratic Party political appointees. He was elected in the Siheung-e constituency of Gyeonggi Province in this general election, becoming a six-term lawmaker. Along with Chu Mi-ae, also elected as a six-term lawmaker in Hanam-gap, Gyeonggi Province, he is mentioned as a candidate for the next Speaker of the National Assembly.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Secretary General Cho pointed out, "The reason legislative achievements were continuously blocked was due to the president's veto power and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee," adding, "The Legislation and Judiciary Committee continuously delayed, ignored, or crushed the opposition's reform legislation." He emphasized, "At the very least, the Democratic Party must hold the positions of Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Steering Committee for the operation and legislation of the National Assembly."

He presented three bills as remaining tasks for the 21st National Assembly: the special prosecution for Chae Sang-byeong, the special law on the Itaewon disaster, and the special law on jeonse fraud. Secretary General Cho stated, "(These three bills) must be passed before the term ends. If the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the ruling party try to obstruct them, the public will not tolerate it."

He added, "There were criticisms from party members and supporters asking what the opposition did despite holding a large 180 seats in the 21st National Assembly," and said, "I have a firm resolve to ensure that the 22nd National Assembly will not become such a National Assembly."