Han Byeong-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, moves after negotiations on the Assembly composition broke down at the National Assembly on June 22. [Photo=Yonhap News]
The Democratic Party and the People Power Party met again on the morning of June 22 to discuss the composition of the National Assembly's standing committees, but they failed to narrow their differences and ended the negotiations. The ruling Democratic Party, holding a majority, pressured the opposition People Power Party, stating that if the deadlock continues, a conclusion will have to be reached soon in some form.
The two parties' floor leaders and deputy floor leaders engaged in negotiations at the National Assembly but walked away after about ten minutes.
Jung Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "It’s still a parallel line today. We argue that the second-largest party should hold the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for checks and balances in the National Assembly, but the Democratic Party keeps repeating the same claims," adding, "I felt no need to continue negotiations and left." Deputy floor leader Kim Seung-soo also conveyed that "the differences have not been narrowed at all."
Jung referenced instances during the previous Assembly when the Democratic Party submitted amendments to bills presented in plenary sessions, stating, "Isn’t it the case that the Legislation and Judiciary Committee has failed to perform its functions, leading to such situations?"
A few minutes later, Han Byeong-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "I believe that a responsible ruling party should hold the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to create a productive National Assembly," emphasizing, "We did not reach an agreement today. We will not allow the National Assembly to remain inactive for an extended period due to negotiations and discussions."
He added, "We will proceed with the composition this week with a sense of urgency. We will no longer tolerate the People Power Party's stalling tactics. If they continue to delay, we have two options: to divide the seats 11 to 7 according to the number of seats or for the Democratic Party to make a unilateral decision. We will reach a conclusion soon."
Deputy floor leader Cheon Jun-ho expressed disappointment, stating, "It’s unfortunate that the People Power Party still seems intent on obstructing government operations," and pledged to do everything possible to finalize the standing committee composition swiftly.
The two parties' floor leaders and deputy floor leaders engaged in negotiations at the National Assembly but walked away after about ten minutes.
Jung Jeom-sik, floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters, "It’s still a parallel line today. We argue that the second-largest party should hold the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee for checks and balances in the National Assembly, but the Democratic Party keeps repeating the same claims," adding, "I felt no need to continue negotiations and left." Deputy floor leader Kim Seung-soo also conveyed that "the differences have not been narrowed at all."
Jung referenced instances during the previous Assembly when the Democratic Party submitted amendments to bills presented in plenary sessions, stating, "Isn’t it the case that the Legislation and Judiciary Committee has failed to perform its functions, leading to such situations?"
A few minutes later, Han Byeong-do, floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated, "I believe that a responsible ruling party should hold the chair of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to create a productive National Assembly," emphasizing, "We did not reach an agreement today. We will not allow the National Assembly to remain inactive for an extended period due to negotiations and discussions."
He added, "We will proceed with the composition this week with a sense of urgency. We will no longer tolerate the People Power Party's stalling tactics. If they continue to delay, we have two options: to divide the seats 11 to 7 according to the number of seats or for the Democratic Party to make a unilateral decision. We will reach a conclusion soon."
Deputy floor leader Cheon Jun-ho expressed disappointment, stating, "It’s unfortunate that the People Power Party still seems intent on obstructing government operations," and pledged to do everything possible to finalize the standing committee composition swiftly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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