"Ruling and Opposition Parties' Parliamentary Council Must Launch Quickly to Resolve Legislative Conflicts"
"Public Evaluates President as Most Responsible for Medical Crisis"
Speaker Woo Won-sik of the National Assembly stated that the opposition party should handle contentious bills such as the Special Prosecutor Act for Chaesang-byeong and Kim Geon-hee, as well as the Local Currency Act, which were unilaterally submitted to the plenary session, after the Chuseok holiday. This is based on the premise that the National Assembly's greatest responsibility now is to resolve legislative conflicts through the formation of a ruling-opposition-government consultative body.
On the 11th, Speaker Woo held a press conference at the National Assembly and said, "With soaring prices alone, the upcoming holiday is already a concern, and the medical crisis adds to the anxiety," adding, "We must quickly alleviate the public's unease and prevent further damage. We are standing at the threshold of the ruling-opposition-government (consultative body), and we need to take one more step forward to open the door." He continued, "After enduring discomfort, pain, and sacrifice for over half a year, the possibility of realizing the ruling-opposition-government consultative body has emerged at a dead end," emphasizing, "We must do whatever it takes to save it." He stressed that instead of the ruling and opposition parties clashing over contentious bills, all efforts should be focused on the difficult but possible formation of the ruling-opposition-government consultative body.
Speaker Woo said, "Three contentious bills, including the Special Prosecutor Act for Kim Geon-hee, have been submitted to the plenary session. The opposition party demands swift processing according to National Assembly procedures," but added, "However, at this time, it is the Speaker's judgment that focusing on the national emergency situation is more appropriate." He further requested, "I ask both parties to agree to handle the bills submitted to the plenary session, including the Special Prosecutor Act, after the Chuseok holiday on the 19th." He added, "Resolving the legislative conflicts that are causing concerns about a medical crisis should come first," and urged, "Based on the common goal of public demand, the opposition should take a step back from pushing the Special Prosecutor Act, and the President and government should take necessary measures to restore trust, so that the ruling-opposition-government consultative body can be promptly launched to resolve legislative conflicts. I ask for wisdom in this matter."
Speaker Woo also pointed out the responsibility of the government and the Presidential Office regarding the medical crisis. He said, "The start of social dialogue is mutual trust and respect. The President and government must act much more flexibly and proactively," adding, "The public evaluation is that the President and government bear the greatest responsibility for the situation reaching this point." He continued, "The President should directly express his determination to resolve the situation and create conditions for the medical community to sit at the table," and requested, "The medical community should also actively participate to help end the public's anxiety and suffering."
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