Song Eon-seok: "If Not Today, TK Administrative Integration Will Be Scrapped... Strongly Urge Judiciary Committee Meeting"

No Agreement Reached at Ruling and Opposition Floor Leaders' Meeting on March 3

The floor leaders of the ruling and opposition parties met on March 3 to discuss the passage of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) Integration Special Act, but were unable to find common ground.

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, met with Han Byungdo, floor leader of the Democratic Party, at the National Assembly Steering Committee Chairman's office that morning to discuss the handling of the bill. However, they were unable to reach a conclusion. Song strongly urged the Democratic Party again, saying, "I once again strongly call on the Democratic Party to ensure that the Legislation and Judiciary Committee is convened within today."

Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, and Han Byung-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, meeting on the 3rd at the National Assembly Steering Committee Chairman's office. Photo by Yonhap News

After the meeting, Song told reporters, "I repeatedly and strongly requested that the Democratic Party convene the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the plenary session today to pass the bill." He added, "However, it appears that the Democratic Party insists that this bill should be handled together with the Daejeon-Chungnam Special Act."

He further stated, "If this bill does not pass today, the administrative integration of Daegu and Gyeongbuk will, in effect, be scrapped this time." He also expressed regret, saying, "I am sorry that the integration bill, which has been a long-standing wish of the residents of Daegu and Gyeongbuk, could not be smoothly agreed upon."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.