[On-site] 'Danildaeo' Democratic Party Lawmakers Workshop... "Let's Prepare for Governance"

Excited Atmosphere... Smiling Greetings and Serious Discussions
Lee Jae-myung "Let's Join Hands Toward a Reliable Governing Party"
No Jong-myeon "Holding a Financial Investment Tax Debate... Very High Level"

Members of the Democratic Party of Korea wore blue jumpers throughout the two-day, one-night workshop in preparation for the 22nd regular session of the National Assembly, showing strong unity. They defined the Yoon Seok-yeol administration as 'reckless' and reaffirmed their determination to prepare for the next government.

On the morning of the 30th, the Democratic Party concluded the '2024 Regular Session Democratic Party National Assembly Members Workshop' at the Nest Hotel in Incheon. The members attended the workshop, which had continued since the previous day, each with smiling faces. They were given windbreakers in a combination of blue and white and attached name tags to their chests. Except for one member who had a regional schedule, all 169 Democratic Party members gathered wearing the same outfit. In his greeting, Representative Lee Jae-myung said, "The National Assembly, and within it the Democratic Party, should play the role of the rudder and leader of state affairs," adding, "Let us all join hands toward becoming a definite ruling party."

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting other lawmakers at the '2024 Regular National Assembly Democratic Party Lawmakers Workshop' held at Nest Hotel in Incheon on the 29th.
Photo by Oh Ji-eun

Kim Nam-hee, who moderated the event, introduced Representative Lee as "the vanguard of the Democratic Party against the Yoon administration." Although Lee shyly said, "I was suddenly surprised," the members showed unity around him as a 'single formation.' About 30 minutes before the event started, Lee arrived at the venue and greeted the members who were already seated one by one. The members welcomed him with handshakes and photos. One member expressed concern for Lee's health, saying, "You must have had a hard time being hospitalized," referring to his bout with COVID-19.

The members gathered agendas by standing committees. About ten members from each standing committee gathered near the hotel to have meals together and discuss bills. Representative Seo Young-kyo (4th term, Seoul Jungnang-gu Gap) said, "The Women and Family Committee mainly discussed the Sexual Violence Punishment Act," and added, "I heard that one standing committee talked about 50 bills," conveying the atmosphere on site. Representative Hwang Myung-sun (first term, Nonsan-si, Gyeryong-si, Geumsan-gun, Chungnam) said, "It was an opportunity for members to unite. I thought we should move forward focusing only on people's livelihoods."

On the 29th and 30th, members of the Health and Welfare Committee gathered at the '2024 Regular National Assembly Democratic Party of Korea Lawmakers Workshop' held at the Nest Hotel in Incheon. / Photo by O Ji-eun joy@

From time to time, the members met with reporters in a small briefing room set up next to the venue to express their positions on current issues. When former Seoul Education Superintendent Cho Hee-yeon lost his position due to a Supreme Court ruling, Seoul-area members expressed "deep regret." The 37 Seoul-area National Assembly members filled the cramped briefing room. Members such as Kim Seong-hwan and Park Ji-hye, who are dedicated to overcoming the climate crisis, welcomed the Constitutional Court's ruling that the government's response was insufficient and unconstitutional, stating, "We welcome this. We will create a responsible climate National Assembly."

After the closed session, Floor Spokesperson Noh Jong-myeon announced that there would be an internal 'policy debate' on the topic of the financial investment income tax (금투세). Although the schedule and format were not fixed, there was also a claim that Representative Lee So-young, who expressed an opinion to postpone the financial investment income tax, must attend the debate. Noh said, "Having a fierce debate means that regardless of the outcome, we will rationally persuade the public," and expressed high expectations, saying, "The level is very high."

On the morning of the 30th, the second day of the '2024 Deobureo Minjudang National Assembly Members Workshop,' Floor Leader Park Chan-dae is giving closing remarks.
Photo by Oh Ji-eun

On the morning of the second day, the members gathered again in an atmosphere that seemed much more intimate. Regardless of their standing committees, they sat closely together. During Floor Leader Park Chan-dae's closing remarks, a microphone malfunction caused a 'beep' noise for about three seconds. Without frowning, the members laughed heartily and applauded Park. Park joked, "I think it means to finish quickly," and concluded, "In this serious situation where fairness and common sense are collapsing, Park Chan-dae will charge forward at the forefront."