Attendance at National Assembly Opening Ceremony and Hearings
Boycott Option Remains Open
On President Lee's Proposal for Ruling and Opposition Leaders' Meeting
"Possible if One-on-One Meeting Is Promised Later"
The People Power Party has concluded its workshop in preparation for the regular National Assembly session, coinciding with the launch of its new leadership system, and has pledged to intensify its opposition against the ruling party. While the party plans to attend the opening ceremony of the regular National Assembly session on September 1, it has left open the possibility of a future boycott.
On August 29, the People Power Party wrapped up its two-day workshop held at the Aviation Training Center of Incheon International Airport Corporation. The second day's agenda began with a program in which members wrote and presented handwritten letters to the public. Representative Jang Donghyuk wrote, "We will show a new People Power Party," and added, "We will be reborn as a party for the people that stays alert, contemplates, and solves problems."
Next, the party determined its course of action based on the results of the previous day's standing committee group discussions and the adopted resolution. The People Power Party has announced its intention to intensify its confrontational stance in the regular National Assembly session beginning in September. Representative Jang declared, "Making this party one that fights well is the beginning of innovation," and stated, "We will establish a system in which only those who have fought well and worked hard will be nominated as candidates."
The party decided to attend the opening ceremony of the regular National Assembly session on September 1, but will determine its method of protest according to the situation. During the workshop, options such as boycotting the opening ceremony and confirmation hearings, as well as holding outdoor protests, were discussed, but members ultimately agreed to participate and escalate their opposition from within. The party also plans to attend the upcoming Special Committee on Budget and Accounts and confirmation hearings.
Floor Leader Song Eonseok said, "Some lawmakers suggested not attending the opening ceremony, but more were in favor of attending." He added, "National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik proposed that we wear hanbok, but we conveyed that it would be difficult to agree to that. Based on our attendance, we will decide on appropriate attire and actions, and announce our plans over the weekend."
However, the party has left open the possibility of boycotting National Assembly proceedings. Representative Jang said, "It is difficult to predict what may happen going forward," and added, "Whether we boycott the regular session or engage in other forms of protest, we will respond each time in the most effective way possible."
Regarding President Lee Jaemyung's proposal for a meeting between the ruling and opposition party leaders, the party made a one-on-one meeting between President Lee and its own leader a precondition. Representative Jang emphasized, "The President and the leadership of both parties can meet to discuss the outcomes of the Korea-U.S. summit, but there must also be time for the President and the leader of the largest opposition party to speak privately."
On this day, the People Power Party concluded its workshop by announcing a resolution. The party pledged to: ▲ become a true party for the people, prioritizing the lives of citizens; ▲ block the legislative overreach of the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party, and present alternatives to protect people's livelihoods; and ▲ restore public trust through innovation and renewal.
The party's Policy Committee also selected 100 key legislative bills in seven priority areas for the regular session. In the area of economic revitalization, the party plans to push for amendments to the Commercial Act. It aims to introduce bills to protect companies from corporate raiders, such as poison pill provisions (the right to purchase shares below market value), dual-class shares, and easing the criminal liability for breach of trust. In addition, bills to rationalize the burden of inheritance and gift taxes were also identified as key legislative priorities.
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