The Democratic Party criticizes Lee Jae-myung's proposal for a 'Trade Special Committee' as "an unexpected demand without consultation"

Shin Dongwook: "We Recognize the Need for Party-Government Consultations"

The People Power Party responded on the 3rd to Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposing the formation of a 'National Assembly Special Committee on Trade,' acknowledging the need for party-government consultations but calling the opposition's unilateral announcement "unexpected."

Shin Dong-wook, chief spokesperson, met with reporters after the Emergency Response Committee meeting and pointed out, "It is unexpected to demand bipartisan consultations while continuously making proposals without any consultation."

He added, "It is actually difficult to judge whether we should respond to unilateral announcements on matters that he seemed completely uninterested in without consulting us," and criticized, "There have been many statements completely different from what the Democratic Party and its leader have done so far, making it hard to take an immediate stance."

Chief spokesperson Shin said, "However, since the Trump administration started a trade war and announced high tariffs on Mexico and Canada yesterday, we also feel the need for party-government consultations on this matter."

Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

At the Democratic Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Leader Lee referred to U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose comprehensive tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, saying, "This is a direct blow to our companies with factories in those countries. We need to find ways to help our companies and national interests," and proposed, "I suggest forming a Special Committee on Trade in the National Assembly to prepare in a bipartisan manner."