16th afternoon Meeting of ruling and opposition party leaders in the National Assembly Speaker’s Room
Woo Won-sik: “Standing committees not operating well…No dignity in front of the people”
Park Chan-dae: “Ruling party hindering meetings without resolving people’s issues”
Choo Kyung-ho: “Forcing through plenary sessions relying only on majority power”
“[Edaily Reporter 최영지] “The main opposition party blocked the opening ceremony, and now they are boycotting agenda discussions as well. Furthermore, they are engaging in non-stop mudslinging drama through family feuds during party conventions.” (Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party and Acting Floor Leader)
“[Choo Kyung-ho, Floor Leader of the People Power Party] said, “Unprecedented situations are unfolding by pressing ahead with the impeachment of the president on unconstitutional and illegal grounds while forcibly conducting confirmation hearings. Who is really responsible for the fact that discussions on people’s livelihood bills are not proceeding smoothly due to political strife?””
Woo Won-sik, the National Assembly Speaker, visited the Speaker’s Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 16th morning to urge for the convening of a plenary session, meeting with Park Chan-dae, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party and Acting Floor Leader, in order to discuss the schedule for the plenary session. (Photo=News1)
“Bilateral Floor Leader Meeting Criticism Heightened Towards Opposing Parties”…, “‘We are facing a steep standoff between the ruling and opposition parties,” stated Speaker Woo ahead of the meeting. He pointed out, “Although the composition of the committees was formed with difficulty, the standing committees are not functioning well. The Legislation and Judiciary Committee barely appointed a secretary but six standing committees have not appointed a secretary yet. As the Speaker, I have no dignity in front of the people.”
He further emphasized, “Even in the confrontation between the ruling and opposition over crucial issues, the fact that livelihood legislation that should be handled by each standing committee is not being properly discussed leaves me speechless. As we enter the 22nd National Assembly, we must all be aware that voices demanding people-oriented legislation and policies are growing significantly.”
Park Chan-dae, the Acting Floor Leader, first criticized the ruling party for absenting themselves from plenary sessions, stating, “If one side continues to refuse to work, negotiations or dialogues become difficult.” He also rebuked, “As a ruling party, instead of making efforts to resolve people’s issues, they rush towards the Speaker, shout, and disrupt meetings.” He added, “They blocked the opening ceremony and are now boycotting agenda discussions.”
The Floor Leader Park said, “The National Assembly must not fall into chaos any further. It is time for the Speaker to make a decision. Immediately convene a plenary session in accordance with the National Assembly Act on the 18th and enable the processing of bills.”
Choo Kyung-ho, the Floor Leader, also pointed out various regrettable aspects of the National Assembly, saying, “Before mentioning these phenomena, think about where the problems originated and who the primary culprit is.” He continued his criticism of the Democratic Party. Moreover, he expressed regret about mocking remarks made about the internal conflicts within the ruling party during their party convention.
Choo, the Floor Leader, further stated, “The Democratic Party is currently pushing through bills relying solely on the power of the majority, pursuing legislative measures full of contentious elements without proper consultation, such as the Broadcast Act and the Yellow Envelope Act and trying to force through plenary sessions.”