Speaker Woo Wonshik Meets with Democratic Party Floor Leader Kim Byungki on the 16th
Democratic Party: "Urgent Appointment Needed to Process Supplementary Budget and Livelihood Bills"
National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik met with Kim Byungki, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, for the first time since Kim was elected as the new floor leader. The Democratic Party requested that a plenary session be convened to appoint the vacant chairs of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts in order to process urgent bills and the supplementary budget.
During their meeting at the Speaker's reception room in Yeouido on the 16th, Acting Leader Kim asked Speaker Woo to convene a plenary session on the 19th to appoint the vacant standing committee chairs. After the opening remarks, the meeting continued behind closed doors. Following the meeting, Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Hyunjung told reporters, "It is urgent to appoint the chairs of the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in order to process the supplementary budget and various livelihood-related bills," and added, "If the opposition party elects its floor leader at 2 p.m. today, we conveyed that we would discuss matters related to the plenary session through negotiations."
Cooperation with the opposition party was also emphasized during the meeting. In his opening remarks, Speaker Woo said, "Since Acting Leader Kim has emphasized restoring dialogue with the opposition, public expectations are high," and added, "The People Power Party will also elect a new floor leader this afternoon, and I plan to propose a meeting between the floor leaders of both parties at the earliest possible date."
Speaker Woo stated, "After the imposition of martial law, it became difficult, but originally, regular luncheons between the Speaker and the floor leaders of both parties were institutionalized. I believe we need to revive such practices," and continued, "Effective communication within the National Assembly is essential to unite the strength of the people, so let us join hands and work hard together."
In his opening remarks, Acting Leader Kim said, "We took over the administration at the worst possible time. If it had simply been a bankruptcy, it would have been easier to recover, but the previous administration essentially 'ran away with the money.' I have received reports over the past few days, and it has been so troubling that I have lost sleep." He continued, "I will do my utmost to restore people's livelihoods and normalize the country. It is difficult enough to catch two rabbits, but we must catch three?ending the rebellion, restoring livelihoods, and achieving national unity?so I ask for your support and opinions."
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