When Will the People’s Livelihood Economic Council Launch? Ruling Party Says “Exclude Song Eon-seok,” Opposition Says “Acceptable”

Parties Continue Talks Over People’s Livelihood Economic Council
Dispute Over Song Eonseok’s Participation Leads to Opposition Concession
Kim Doeup: "Let’s Achieve Tangible Results Before Chuseok"

Tensions continue between the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party ahead of the first meeting of the Livelihood Economy Council, which both parties have agreed to launch. The Democratic Party insisted that Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, who sparked controversy with his remarks regarding the 'Noh Sangwon Notebook,' should be excluded from the council, leading to a temporary deadlock. However, the People Power Party revived the talks by agreeing to discuss the schedule, including this issue.

Kim Byunggi, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Song Unseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, are meeting and shaking hands at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Yonhap News

According to political sources on September 16, Kim Eunhye, senior deputy floor leader for policy of the People Power Party, and Heo Young, senior deputy floor leader for policy of the Democratic Party, are continuing behind-the-scenes discussions regarding the first meeting of the Livelihood Economy Council. The previous day, Deputy Floor Leader Kim called for the formation of the council, but it is reported that the Democratic Party set the condition that Floor Leader Song be excluded. Baek Seunga, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, told reporters that day, "The Democratic Party proposed that the two parties reach agreement on common presidential campaign pledges through a '2+2' format involving the policy committee chairs and senior policy deputies. We have not yet received a response."

The People Power Party initially protested, saying, "Holding a meeting without the floor leader, who oversees legislation for the party, is tantamount to refusing to participate in the Livelihood Economy Council." However, Floor Leader Song instructed on the morning of September 16, "Even if I am excluded, the livelihood economy must not be abandoned," paving the way for the resumption of discussions. Deputy Floor Leader Kim said, "We have been instructed not to rule out the possibility of excluding Floor Leader Song when negotiating the council's formation," adding, "For the People Power Party, the livelihood economy is more important than the composition of the council itself."

Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party's parliamentary group, told reporters, "The party leadership has not yet reached a conclusion regarding the exclusion of Floor Leader Song," but added, "We have made it clear at the inter-party leaders' meeting that we are committed to addressing livelihood issues. We are willing to make any effort that could be even slightly helpful for people's livelihoods."

Previously, the Democratic Party had maintained that the council could not be formed without an apology from Floor Leader Song. When Floor Leader Song proposed on September 12 to hold the first meeting "preferably before next Tuesday," Han Jeongae, chair of the Democratic Party's policy committee, told reporters on September 14, "The Livelihood Economy Council is fine, but Floor Leader Song made remarks that should never have been said. It does not seem right for the two parties to proceed with negotiations as if nothing happened. An apology from Floor Leader Song must come first."

Kim Doeup, chair of the People Power Party's policy committee, said at a parliamentary countermeasures meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "The People Power Party has already prepared a detailed list of bills to be discussed at the Livelihood Economy Council, focusing on the common pledges made by both parties to the public during the last presidential election. Once the meeting is held, we are determined to begin discussions immediately and achieve tangible results before Chuseok. We urge immediate participation."

The People Power Party is reportedly considering a bill to eradicate unfair hiring practices in labor unions as a priority agenda item for the Livelihood Economy Council. President Lee Jaemyung also commented at a cabinet meeting on September 9 regarding the controversy over granting hiring priority to union members' children, saying, "Is this not the epitome of unfairness?" and "If rules are made to allow the children of incumbent union members to be specially hired simply because of their influence, would this not cause injustice to others?" A parliamentary official from the People Power Party explained, "If the president himself is raising this issue, it is something that both parties need to address urgently."