Sharp Criticism During Visit to Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Cheonan
"TK Residents Stand to Gain 20 Trillion Won, Yet People Power Lawmakers Remain Indecisive"
Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae sharply criticized the People Power Party on March 1, after they abruptly halted their filibuster against the national referendum law amendment and demanded the passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) administrative integration bill. He urged, "Do not cause unnecessary commotion or disturbance, and make your position on administrative integration clear."
Democratic Party leader Chung Cheong-rae is paying respects at the Independence Movement Martyrs Memorial in Byeongcheon-myeon, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungnam, on the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement. Yonhap News.
On the occasion of the March 1st Movement anniversary, Chung paid respects at the Yu Gwan-sun Memorial Hall in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province. He pointed out, "It was the People Power Party that first raised the issue of Chungnam-Daejeon integration, but now that the Democratic Party supports it, the People Power Party is acting contrarily, almost like a contrarian. The situation is the same with the Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration."
He went on to say, "Whether in favor or against, the People Power Party should decide on a unified party stance. Even though this is a critical matter that would bring benefits worth 20 trillion won to the residents of TK, lawmakers are wavering." He especially warned, "The unwritten rule that anyone can win an election in Daegu and Gyeongbuk just by running will be broken this time, and the people will deliver their judgment."
Regarding the "Chungnam-Daejeon administrative integration final debate" proposed by South Chungcheong Governor Kim Tae-heum, Chung drew a line, saying, "Stop talking about tricks like a sham debate-Governor Kim and Daejeon Mayor Lee Jang-woo should first hold a discussion themselves." This is interpreted as his refusal to go along with the People Power Party's push to prioritize only the TK integration bill. However, regarding the possibility of passing the administrative integration bill, he left room for future negotiations, stating, "Politics is the art of possibility."
Earlier in the afternoon, the People Power Party abruptly announced the end of the filibuster through a press briefing by floor leader Song Eon-seok, during a debate led by Assemblywoman Kim Jung-jae. As a result, the unlimited debate, which had originally been scheduled to end around 8:38 p.m., concluded about four hours earlier than planned.
National Assembly Vice Speaker Lee Hak-young declared the end of the filibuster in accordance with the National Assembly Act. However, since there were not enough lawmakers present in the main assembly hall at the time, the session was adjourned to wait for a quorum for the vote on the national referendum law amendment.
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