On the 13th, the Democratic Party of Korea proposed to the People Power Party the reactivation of the bipartisan livelihood and economic consultative body, which is currently on hold. Han Jung-ae, the policy chief, emphasized during the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly that bipartisan cooperation is necessary for public welfare and national safety, as many public welfare bills still need attention. She urged for the consultative body to serve as a non-political peace zone for cooperation between the parties, stating that nothing should come before the people and that the People Power Party likely shares that view.
Han also expressed determination to advance government policies reflecting public sentiment identified during legislative audits, noting a consensus with the government to expedite the passage of three key bills aimed at curbing ticket scalping. Furthermore, initiatives have commenced to reform the distribution structure of agricultural and marine products, amend the Maritime Act to enhance transportation rights for island residents, and alleviate insurance burdens on fishermen affected by abnormal sea temperatures. Discussions on establishing auxiliary veterans hospitals to address gaps in veterans’ healthcare have also begun.
Heo Young, the senior deputy floor leader for policy, mentioned that during the 2+2 meeting, floor leader Kim Byung-gi and deputy floor leader Moon Jin-seok proposed energizing the consultative body, which received positive discussions. He expressed a desire to start consultations promptly.
He highlighted the importance of legislative support for future industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence, noting that about 74 common pledges from the presidential election have been organized by the party. Additionally, various issues slated for discussion within the consultative body include the Stalking Crime Punishment Act, support legislation for areas affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants, the Disaster Safety Management Basic Act to prevent sinkholes, and school violence prevention measures.