Regarding the party's adoption of the "speed control theory," "lawmakers agree on strong promotion"
The Democratic Party of Korea adopted seven bills as party positions, including the Yellow Envelope Act (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Labor Union Act) and the Special Act on Jeonse Fraud. However, the amendment to the National Intelligence Service Act, which aims to prevent political interference by the National Intelligence Service, was not adopted as a party position due to the need for further discussion. The Democratic Party plans to swiftly process the adopted bills as early as this month.
Park Chan-dae, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a policy meeting held at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 11th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
No Jong-myeon, the Democratic Party floor spokesperson, met with reporters after a policy caucus held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 11th, stating, "The adoption of the seven bills as party positions was made without objection," and added, "There was an opinion that the National Intelligence Service Act requires discussion at the standing committee level." He did not explain the specific reasons why the National Intelligence Service Act was not adopted as a party position. No said, "Efforts to prevent political interference by the National Intelligence Service have continued for decades, and the possibility of inappropriate involvement by individuals remains open," but explained, "I guess this is a process of finding a more efficient method in terms of approach."
The Democratic Party plans to quickly process the Yellow Envelope Act, the Special Act on Jeonse Fraud, and other bills adopted as party positions at this caucus. The party announced that it has requested Speaker Woo Won-shik to hold two plenary sessions on the 18th and 25th of this month. No said, "There was a proposal to hold an opening ceremony on the 15th, but it was canceled after confirming the ruling party's opposition," and added, "The ruling party has taken a stance of doing nothing at all, so we are strongly requesting the Speaker to convene plenary sessions." Furthermore, he explained, "The floor leadership strongly insists on passing the Yellow Envelope Act, the Special Act on Jeonse Fraud, the previously adopted bills related to livelihood recovery support funds, laws that can support farming households, and other livelihood legislation together within the July extraordinary session," and added, "At least among the floor leaders, there is no disagreement, but there has been no official report on when the bills will be processed."
The Democratic Party is expected to continue processing bills by holding an extraordinary session in August immediately after the July extraordinary session ends. No said, "At today's caucus, Floor Leader Park Chan-dae officially asked members to schedule their vacation in advance," and added, "He did not explicitly say 'do not take a vacation,' but that was the implication. In the case of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting and Communications Committee, first-term lawmakers held a press conference requesting that the August extraordinary session be held to avoid any gaps in the National Assembly."
Regarding criticisms that the Democratic Party needs to slow down after adopting more than 40 bills as party positions, No drew a clear line, saying there is no problem. He said, "Of course, there may be opinions that it is hard to keep up, but I question to what extent," and added, "Considering the volume and seriousness of the issues raised, there is no confrontation or conflict at all." He further added, "There is a considerable consensus among lawmakers on the method of adopting party positions, which is being strongly promoted by the Democratic Party's Policy Committee."
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