Democratic Party pressures People Power Party ahead of final plenary session... "Stop causing trouble"

Urgent Call for Passage of Grain Management Act and Agricultural Security Act Amendments
Speaker Kim Jin-pyo Also Pressures... "Please Make a Decision"

Ahead of the final plenary session of the 21st National Assembly, the Democratic Party of Korea urged the ruling party to accept not only the 'Chae Sang-byeong Death Case Investigation Interference Incident (Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act)' but also key bills pushed by the Democratic Party, including the amendment to the Grain Management Act and the amendment to the Act on Distribution and Price Stabilization of Agricultural and Marine Products (Nongan Act). They also pressured Speaker Kim Jin-pyo to bring these bills to a vote in the upcoming plenary session.

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the morning of the 28th, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, "As the ruling party that must take infinite responsibility for the lives of the people, refusing to handle livelihood bills is irresponsible and a failure to fulfill even the minimum duty." He added, "They say they will not process bills pending in standing committees, will not convene the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, will not pursue pension reform, and will oppose the plenary session. I want to ask if they have nothing to say except that they will oppose." He continued, "They reluctantly say they will participate in the vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act and the Special Act on Jeonse Fraud, but I am appalled by the ruling party's insincerity," emphasizing, "Stop trying to obstruct and cooperate so that the National Assembly, as the representative of the people, can fulfill its role."

He urged Speaker Kim to make a decision to process the bills on which the ruling and opposition parties are divided. The Democratic Party classifies the Grain Management Act, the Nongan Act, and the Democratic Meritorious Persons Act as livelihood bills and wants them passed within the 21st National Assembly. However, the People Power Party opposes cooperating with the passage of these key bills if the opposition attempts to re-vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. Park explained, "We had sufficient consultations yesterday, so the livelihood bills can be immediately submitted and processed today." He added, "Since these are critical bills directly related to the people's livelihood, I once again urge Speaker Kim to make a decision."

On this day, the 21st National Assembly is preparing for its final plenary session. Although People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho and Democratic Party floor leader Park failed to agree on the plenary session agenda the previous day, Speaker Kim announced that the plenary session would be held. The ruling and opposition parties are sharply divided over the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act. The Democratic Party is determined to pass the act in this plenary session and is also expecting defections from the People Power Party. Democratic Party lawmaker Park Joo-min emphasized on Facebook that "If the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act is rejected, the 21st National Assembly will be remembered as the worst National Assembly and will face harsher judgment than the general election."

However, the People Power Party labeled the re-vote on the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act as a "political offensive" and criticized the Democratic Party's "one-way street" approach. Floor leader Choo said at a floor strategy meeting that day, "The Democratic Party is trying to force the plenary session without agreement on the agenda between the ruling and opposition parties. From the formation of the National Assembly at the start of the 21st National Assembly to the final plenary session, the Democratic Party's consistent one-way approach throughout the four years is deplorable," adding, "Speaker Kim must uphold the spirit of bipartisan agreement."