Last Press Conference of Floor Leader's Term
Opposes Hwang Woo-yeo's Suggestion to Postpone Party Convention
Calls for "More Restrained Exercise of Legislative Power" Toward the Opposition
Yoon Jae-ok, acting leader of the People Power Party and floor leader, expressed opposition on the 8th to Hwang Woo-yeo, emergency committee chairman, suggesting a delay in the party convention, stating, "I think it could cause another controversy and would not help in managing the crisis during the party's difficult situation."
At a press briefing held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the last day of his floor leader term that afternoon, Yoon responded to a reporter's question, "I understand the party convention was scheduled for late June to early July, but (Chairman Hwang) sent a message suggesting to take it easy around late July to early August. What is your position on this?" by saying the above.
Earlier, Chairman Hwang had stated in an interview with SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' the previous day that the party convention, expected to be held from late June to early July, might be delayed by more than a month. Some within the ruling party criticized this as possibly favoring former emergency committee member Han Dong-hoon’s candidacy. Chairman Hwang clarified on YTN Radio that it was not about favoring any individual and explained that, considering party regulations, there was no physical time to delay.
However, Acting Leader Yoon opposed this, insisting that the party convention should be held as planned for the ruling party’s early recovery. Yoon pointed out, "After the election, when I served Chairman Hwang Woo-yeo, I met with the elected members, 21st National Assembly members, senior lawmakers, and advisory groups. I believed there was a consensus to hold the party convention quickly in late June or early July to promptly reorganize the party leadership system and innovate the party through that leadership. I recommended Chairman Hwang because I thought he was the most suitable person for that role and situation."
He added, "I believe Chairman Hwang is aware of this situation and will manage the party convention accordingly."
In addition, Acting Leader Yoon shared his reflections on the recent general election and events during his term as floor leader. Regarding the 21st National Assembly, he said, "At this point, pointing out the opposition party's actions one by one may not be very meaningful, but exceptional measures such as special investigations, parliamentary audits, and impeachments were repeatedly used, trivializing parliamentary politics," and evaluated that "the time for political strife overwhelmed the time for cooperation."
He particularly expressed concern, saying, "I cannot help but worry about the prospect that politics and cooperation will be suffocated in a situation where unreasonable laws are passed unilaterally," and criticized, "The Democratic Party submitted three special investigation bills, five parliamentary audit requests, one Cabinet resolution, and eight impeachment motions during my term, repeatedly engaging in legislative rampage and leaving a significant scar in our constitutional history."
Furthermore, he stated, "One common lesson from this general election for both winners and losers is cooperation for the people's livelihood," emphasizing, "It is necessary for the opposition party, which holds an overwhelming majority of seats, to exercise restrained legislative power. If political strife becomes routine in the 22nd National Assembly, causing deadlock between the executive and legislative branches, we will be unable to do anything, and the country's development will come to a halt."
Acting Leader Yoon, who evaluated the nine times President Yoon Suk-yeol exercised the veto power as part of the Democratic Party's legislative rampage, lamented, "Having to conduct re-votes on eight out of nine vetoed bills was the greatest challenge I faced as floor leader. On days with plenary sessions, I had sleepless nights."
He continued, "Nevertheless, it was truly fortunate that the Itaewon disaster special law was passed through bipartisan agreement," and explained, "During my term, 171 major bills were proposed, including 113 government task bills and 58 other key bills, and 178 major bills were passed, including 158 government task bills and 20 other key bills."
As a bill that must be passed in the 21st National Assembly, he mentioned the High-Level Radioactive Waste Management Special Act. Acting Leader Yoon said, "If the Special Act on High-Level Radioactive Waste Management by the Industry, Trade, and Energy Committee is not passed in this National Assembly, our people will face fatal environmental threats starting in 2030. This bill was agreed upon between the ruling and opposition floor leaders, but due to opposition from some in the opposition party, it was not brought to the plenary session on May 2. I hope the 21st National Assembly will pass this bill unconditionally."
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