Agreed to Discuss In-House Senior Officials' Practical Consultative Body
Proposed Bills Including Nurse Act
Negative on 250,000 Won Livelihood Recovery Support Fund and Chaesangbyeong Special Prosecutor Act
Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, proposed to halt political strife for the month of August and focus on passing livelihood-related bills, suggesting a "ceasefire declaration on political conflict during the August extraordinary session."
At a press conference held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Choo said, "Let’s go all-in on addressing livelihood issues, at least for August." He added, "On the 6th, during the floor leaders' meeting, I proposed that the ruling and opposition parties hold consultations with the government to pass livelihood bills where there is little or no disagreement during the August extraordinary session. Today, Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, responded by suggesting the establishment of a cooperation body among the ruling party, opposition, and government. I will immediately initiate concrete practical negotiations through dialogue between the chief floor negotiators of both parties to set up this tripartite consultative body."
He continued, "By forming a livelihood consultative body, we will restore the National Assembly to one where the ruling and opposition parties work together for the people and for their livelihoods."
Floor Leader Choo mentioned several bills that require bipartisan discussion, including the Nurse Act, the Government Organization Act to establish a Population and Energy Planning Department, the Special Support Act for Victims of Jeonse Fraud, the National Power Grid Expansion Act, the Semiconductor Act, the Device Distribution Act, and the High-Level Radioactive Waste Special Act.
Although Floor Leader Choo expressed willingness to address livelihood issues through bipartisan dialogue, it was also confirmed during the Q&A session with reporters that significant differences in positions between the ruling and opposition parties remain on specific issues.
Regarding the Democratic Party’s decision to reintroduce the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act, Floor Leader Choo said, "I am asking to pause such political conflict bills for a moment," adding, "If the Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act is introduced, we will review it accordingly and respond appropriately."
On the opposition party’s demand that the ruling party not exercise the right to request reconsideration (veto) on the Livelihood Recovery Support Fund, Floor Leader Choo stated, "I am clearly opposed." He raised his voice, saying, "The policy idea of indiscriminately distributing cash is the worst of the worst. Apart from the COVID-19 period, which advanced countries in the world are currently implementing policies that distribute cash to the public?"
He was also negative about the summit meeting proposed by Floor Leader Park and others. Floor Leader Choo said, "Isn’t Floor Leader Park currently acting in an interim capacity? Even if a summit meeting is necessary, wouldn’t it be better to judge the political situation after the Democratic Party completes its new leadership structure before proceeding?"
Regarding the opposition’s claim that the government should present a pension reform plan, he said, "The government has already provided numerous data and research materials, and hasn’t the National Assembly’s Pension Special Committee been inactive for over two years? Why suddenly demand a government plan?" He proposed launching a National Assembly-level pension reform special committee as he suggested.
On the issue of electricity rate hikes, which drew attention after being raised by People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, Floor Leader Choo said, "We are reviewing whether there are ways to reduce the burden on vulnerable groups even slightly, receiving reports and organizing various situations. Once a decision is made on whether to ease some of the burden or if existing measures are sufficient, I think Leader Han will inform the public." Possibly aware of media reports suggesting differences in stance with Leader Han on issues like electricity rates, Floor Leader Choo also mentioned, "There is no separate faction for Leader Han and another for others within the party. We are all one team."
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