'Ruling and Opposition Floor Leaders Met but Could Not Schedule Plenary Session'...Agreed to Hold Weekly Monday Regular Meetings

Meeting of Floor Leaders Chaired by Speaker Woo Won-sik
Opposition Demands Plenary Sessions on 18th and 25th
Ruling Party Negative on Plenary and Opening Ceremony

Speaker Woo Won-shik of the National Assembly and the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties discussed the legislative schedule for the July extraordinary session on the 16th but failed to reach an agreement. However, Speaker Woo and the floor leaders agreed to hold regular weekly luncheon meetings to establish a channel for communication.

Speaker Woo Won-shik and the floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties are meeting in the Speaker's office at the National Assembly on the 16th. From the left, Choo Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, Speaker Woo, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

After the meeting, Chu Kyung-ho, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "The Democratic Party hoped to hold plenary sessions on the 18th and 25th, but since we have not yet decided on the agenda items to be submitted, we concluded that we cannot agree on the plenary session schedule." He added, "For future dialogue, the floor leaders of both parties will hold regular luncheon meetings every Monday presided over by the Speaker."

Regarding the opening ceremony, which has not yet been held amid the confrontation between the ruling and opposition parties over issues such as the aftermath of the special prosecutor law for Chae Sang-byung and the impeachment petition hearing for President Yoon Suk-yeol, Floor Leader Chu said, "Due to various circumstances, it will be difficult to hold it for the time being."

Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, mentioned the pending plenary sessions including the Broadcasting Act +1 and said, "The Democratic Party has requested the convening of the plenary session." However, he added, "I think the Speaker will deliberate on holding the plenary session on the 18th," and "I believe the position will be announced soon, perhaps the day after tomorrow."