Finalizing the National Assembly Organization on the 7th
Government's Suspension of the South-North Military Agreement... "Bad Measure"
The Democratic Party of Korea once again suggested that the ruling party, People Power Party, is responsible for the stalled negotiations on the organization of the National Assembly and urged that the organization be finalized by the 7th in accordance with the National Assembly Act.
Democratic Party of Korea Floor Leader Park Chan-dae is speaking at the party floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 4th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the 4th, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, "The deadline for organizing the National Assembly as stipulated by the National Assembly Act is approaching, but the People Power Party is delaying and avoiding negotiations by citing precedents," adding, "The People Power Party, which usually likes laws and principles, is throwing a tantrum by talking about precedents in the organization negotiations." He continued, "Precedents that ignore the people's wishes and the law can never be principles that must be upheld," emphasizing, "The National Assembly Act is more important and takes precedence over precedents."
Kim Yong-min, the deputy floor policy chief of the Democratic Party, said, "We need to open the National Assembly as soon as possible to accelerate reforms for people's livelihoods, but the People Power Party is refusing negotiations and only running away," adding, "If the temporary session is delayed due to the People Power Party's refusal to negotiate and stalling tactics, it will be difficult to conduct government questioning necessary to overcome the national crisis." He also stated, "We will do our best to complete the organization by the 7th and to open the National Assembly promptly," and "We will strive to revive the broken livelihoods and democracy and to normalize diplomacy and security, which are in crisis."
According to the National Assembly Act, the National Assembly must hold its first temporary session on the seventh day after the start of the members' term. Within three days of opening the temporary session, the standing committee chairs must be elected. According to the National Assembly Act, the Democratic Party claims that the deadline for organizing the 22nd National Assembly is by the 7th.
However, the People Power Party insists that, according to precedent, they should take the chairmanships of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Steering Committee. On the previous day, Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said at an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly, "The Democratic Party is forcing the minority party to submit just because they are the majority," adding, "The Democratic Party is ignoring the spirit of the National Assembly Act and parliamentary precedents and is dreaming of parliamentary dictatorship."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party criticized the government's suspension of the effectiveness of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement as a measure that raises tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Floor leader Park said, "(The suspension of the effectiveness of the September 19 inter-Korean military agreement) is a bad measure that raises tensions on the Korean Peninsula to avoid the crisis faced by the regime rather than solving the problem," adding, "Now is not the time to raise tensions but a crucial moment for flexible diplomacy to resume inter-Korean dialogue and protect peace on the Korean Peninsula."
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