First-term Lawmakers Hold Study Group on AI and Semiconductors... Han Dong-hoon and Chu Kyung-ho, Despite Conflicts, Also Attend

Handonghun "We Must Join the Dramatic Growth Opportunity"
Chukyungho "Semiconductors, Valuable Security Assets"

As the National Assembly audit approached its final stages on the 29th, the first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party began studying artificial intelligence (AI) and semiconductors to focus on livelihood and industry issues. Attending this session were Party Leader Han Dong-hoon and Floor Leader Chu Kyung-ho, who are currently in conflict over the appointment of a special inspector.

On the morning of the same day, 44 first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party held their third study meeting at the National Assembly Members' Office Building under the theme "Why Discuss AI and Semiconductors Together?" Since its launch in June, the ruling party’s first-term lawmakers’ study group has held sessions on social and energy topics essential to public welfare, such as "Does a trial stop if the defendant becomes president?" and "Can renewable energy be a practical solution in the era of low-carbon transition?" At this session, lawmaker Ko Dong-jin, former president of Samsung Electronics, served as the lecturer.

In his congratulatory remarks, Leader Han said, "The key points for upward growth are AI (artificial intelligence) and semiconductors," urging the government for full support by stating, "We must ride the wave of the industrial revolution and join the dramatic growth opportunity."

Floor Leader Chu also emphasized, "Semiconductors have become a more valuable security asset than any strategic weapon. The core of economic security now includes not only our usual minerals and nuclear power but also the semiconductor industry and advanced industries, which have deepened and broadened the horizons of our economic diplomacy." He added, "We need to hold many such meetings so that, unlike the Democratic Party, which oppresses the National Assembly with abusive language and insults, we can open the future of the Republic of Korea through in-depth exploration, research, and discussion."

Handonghoon, the leader of the People Power Party (center), and Chukyungho, the floor leader (right), attended the People Power Party's freshman lawmaker study meeting titled "Why Talk About AI and Semiconductors Together?" held on the morning of the 29th at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. They are seen conversing with Go Dongjin, a lawmaker and former president of Samsung Electronics, while examining semiconductor wafers.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The attendance of Leader Han and Floor Leader Chu, who have clashed over the appointment of the special inspector, at the first-term lawmakers’ study meeting is interpreted as an effort to emphasize livelihood issues against the Democratic Party while also securing the support of first-term members within their party. A general assembly of lawmakers is scheduled next month in the first or second week to decide on the recommendation of the special inspector, and both the pro-Han (supporters of Han Dong-hoon) and pro-Yoon (supporters of Yoon Seok-yeol) factions recognize that the sentiment of the 44 first-term lawmakers (47.5%) among the 108 ruling party members is crucial.

However, within the People Power Party, there is also an interpretation that even if the party leader and floor leader, who rank first and second in party hierarchy, fight, they seem to want to show a united front to the public on livelihood issues.

Kim Dae-sik, the leader of the first-term lawmakers and head of the study group, said on the day, "It is so good to see Leader Han and Floor Leader Chu come out to the first-term study meeting like this. They have shown such a beautiful image." He added, "The first-term lawmakers will continue studying to present policy alternatives to the public that show 'People Power Party first-term lawmakers are better than the Democratic Party.'"

Besides the study meeting schedule, Leader Han and Floor Leader Chu also attended the party-government meeting in the afternoon to review livelihood legislative tasks. Together with the People Power Party’s standing committee secretaries and senior government officials, they discussed ways to promote five major livelihood legislative tasks directly related to the public’s daily life, including solving low birthrate and aging population issues, public health and safety, and balanced regional development, and plan to announce the results.

[Image source=Yonhap News]