Kim Byungki: "The National Assembly Must Accelerate Livelihood Recovery"
On Supplementary Budget and Commercial Act Amendments: "Politics Is About Dialogue and Negotiation"
On June 17, Kim Byungki, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, met consecutively with Kim Yongtae, the emergency committee chair of the People Power Party, and Song Eonseok, the PPP’s floor leader. He expressed his intention to cooperate on key issues related to people's livelihoods and urged them to engage in dialogue and debate.
That afternoon at the National Assembly, Floor Leader Kim paid courtesy visits to Chair Kim and Floor Leader Song, stating, "The National Assembly must accelerate efforts to restore livelihoods. The Democratic Party is prepared and willing to cooperate with the People Power Party."
Chair Kim said, "I sincerely congratulate Floor Leader Kim and the new leadership of the Democratic Party on their election. I agree with your intention to narrow the gap with the opposition through regular meetings," adding, "What the public wants now is responsible politics and tangible results. Politics must shift from creating problems to solving them."
Regarding the 20 trillion won supplementary budget bill being promoted by President Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party, he said, "If the budget will provide real help to people's lives, the People Power Party will cooperate." However, he emphasized that "the purpose of the supplementary budget must be clear. The method of securing funds must be convincing, and execution must be transparent," expressing a stance of caution.
On the amendment to the Commercial Act, he stated that while he supports institutional improvements to enhance transparency and competitiveness in capital markets, it would be problematic if the changes undermine corporate management autonomy or expand the influence of foreign speculative capital. Regarding amendments to the Public Official Election Act, the Court Organization Act, and the Criminal Procedure Act, he said, "Provisions that prevent the prosecution of the president or increase the number of Supreme Court justices are already seen by the public as bulletproof legislation. If you try to undermine the foundation of the rule of law, we will not stand by."
Floor Leader Kim responded, "Right now, people's livelihoods are collapsing, and lives are on the brink. At times like this, both the ruling and opposition parties must move closer to the people. In the face of public suffering, there can be no division between the parties," he urged. "High interest rates, high inflation, and a stagnant domestic market have already become cries from the field. The National Assembly must accelerate efforts to restore livelihoods." He continued, "While we should thoroughly debate policy differences, we will always unite when it comes to people's livelihoods. I hope we can meet more often and engage in sincere discussions going forward."
Regarding Chair Kim's points on the supplementary budget, the Commercial Act, and the judicial system, Floor Leader Kim said, "There is a saying, 'words carry bones,' and I believe politics exists to seriously discuss, find common ground, and reach agreements on such matters. I will keep these points in mind and engage in meaningful discussions."
Floor Leader Kim also conveyed his intention to listen and communicate to Floor Leader Song. He said, "In your acceptance speech, you said 'there must be no regression,' which I believe is a warning that the political world must heed. I, too, will listen and communicate," he added.
On issues related to people's livelihoods and the economy, he said, "As someone with expertise in policy, Floor Leader Song understands the language of budgets and the responsibilities of state affairs better than anyone. Now, speed is also important. The economy is faltering, and people's livelihoods have crossed the limit," requesting dialogue and tangible results.
Floor Leader Song also responded to Floor Leader Kim, saying, "As many already know, within the Democratic Party, you are considered very prudent and reasonable. Members of our party who served with you on the Political Affairs Committee have praised your character. I believe you will lead the ruling Democratic Party well with your rational leadership." He added, "Even as the People Power Party is now in the opposition, we will do our utmost to restore livelihoods."
However, he requested that the chairmanships of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts be yielded to the People Power Party, following the established practice where the majority party holds the National Assembly Speaker position, the second party chairs the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, the ruling party chairs the Steering Committee, and the opposition chairs the Budget Committee. The Democratic Party maintains that, given the two-year terms for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee chairmanship in both the first and second halves of the session, the first half term remains and cannot be handed over to the People Power Party. Nevertheless, Floor Leader Song emphasized, "I hope Floor Leader Kim, who is known for his rationality, will reconsider the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Budget Committee chairmanships for the sake of bipartisan cooperation."
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