Democratic Party "Considering Sole Control of 18 Standing Committee Chairs if Negotiations Fail"

Park Chandae "Must also pass 7 livelihood bills"
Yoon Jonggun "Negotiations on the original organization until June 7"

The Democratic Party of Korea demanded the passage of nine bills ahead of the final plenary session of the 21st National Assembly. They also stated that the negotiation for the formation of the 22nd National Assembly must proceed quickly, and if the National Assembly Act is not followed, the Democratic Party may take all 18 standing committee chair positions.

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 28th, "The Democratic Party's position is that we must pass the 'Special Investigation Act for Fallen Marines' and the 'Amendment to the Special Act on Jeonse Fraud,' as well as the seven livelihood-related bills directly referred to the plenary session today." He emphasized, "The seven bills are the Act on Democratic Meritorious Persons, the Franchisee Protection Act, the Sewol Ferry Disaster Victim Support Act, the Grain Management Act, the Agricultural and Marine Products Price Stabilization Act, the Sustainable Korean Beef Industry Act, and the Agricultural and Fishery Chamber Act."

On this day, the de facto final plenary session of the 21st National Assembly was held, but the seven bills that Floor Leader Park said should be additionally processed were not included in the agenda. The Democratic Party is expected to request a change in the agenda to Speaker Kim Jin-pyo by submitting a motion to change the schedule.

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

On the same day, the Democratic Party also announced guidelines regarding the negotiation for the formation of the National Assembly. Yoon Jong-gun, the party’s floor spokesperson, said, "The basic position of the Democratic Party’s floor leadership is to complete the formation by June 7," adding, "No matter what happens, we must show compliance with the National Assembly Act." When asked by a reporter whether the Democratic Party could take all 18 standing committee chair positions if negotiations are delayed, Yoon replied, "We are keeping that possibility in mind," and said, "If President Yoon Seok-yeol makes a major shift in the state affairs policy, there might be areas for negotiation in the National Assembly, but since the People Power Party is refusing to negotiate itself, we are also considering taking all positions."

The People Power Party’s floor leader’s office dismissed the claim as "nonsense." A People Power Party official said, "There was already a precedent, and it didn’t work well," adding, "Because there have been plenary session agendas pending until recently, negotiations related to the formation have not proceeded smoothly, but we can discuss it after today’s plenary session." They also added, "We will proceed according to precedent and procedure."