On October 27, lawmakers clashed during the national audit over issues including the rebalancing of the National Pension, the labor exemption clause in the so-called 'super-wide special zone law,' and the U.S.-Korea alliance. This year's national audit will conclude with reviews by the Operations, Information, and Gender Equality and Family Committees from October 28 to 30.
During the comprehensive audit held by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, the decision to postpone the rebalancing of the National Pension was a key topic. The ruling People Power Party argued that the related meeting minutes should be made public, while the opposition Democratic Party countered that they could only be released in four years under the National Pension Act, defending the government.
Kim Tae-ho, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "Claiming the minutes are investment secrets is not convincing. If we keep delaying, the public will inevitably think the decision was politically motivated." In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok, the committee's secretary, expressed regret that the opposition had engaged in political attacks throughout the audit despite knowing the minutes could not be released for four years.
In the Climate Energy Environment Labor Committee's audit, disagreements arose over the 'super-wide special zone law,' which aims to provide regulatory exemptions for businesses and regions. Lawmakers debated whether high-income and research workers in the special zones should be exempt from the 52-hour workweek.
Democratic Party members expressed concerns that such exemptions would negatively impact workers' mental and physical health. Conversely, the People Power Party accused the government of trying to evade legislative responsibility through administrative measures. Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the ruling party for presenting conflicting legislation and stated, "It is irresponsible for the government to claim it will continue to seek social consensus."
Members of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee exchanged barbs regarding the U.S.-Korea alliance and inter-Korean relations. Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae, who had to change the audit team from the Americas to Europe due to delays in U.S. visa issuance, remarked that such issues should be addressed in a bipartisan manner rather than attacking the government. He expressed disappointment over the controversy suggesting that the U.S.-Korea alliance was breaking down, which he believed harmed national interests. In response, opposition secretary Kim Dae-sik from the People Power Party questioned the strength of the current U.S.-Korea relationship.
Tensions also flared over comments made by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Gi-heon, who referred to U.S. Forces Korea Commander Javier Brunson as "the most arrogant commander in history." Song Seok-jun, the People Power Party's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee chairman, urged restraint in language used regarding important foreign military leaders, emphasizing the need for mutual respect. Lee countered that he had not used offensive language and demanded an apology, leading to heightened emotions.
The National Assembly will begin audits of the concurrent committees from October 28 to 30. A significant clash is anticipated during the Operations Committee's audit of the Presidential Office on October 29, particularly regarding the introduction of single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the verification process for ministerial appointments.
During the comprehensive audit held by the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, the decision to postpone the rebalancing of the National Pension was a key topic. The ruling People Power Party argued that the related meeting minutes should be made public, while the opposition Democratic Party countered that they could only be released in four years under the National Pension Act, defending the government.
Kim Tae-ho, a member of the People Power Party, stated, "Claiming the minutes are investment secrets is not convincing. If we keep delaying, the public will inevitably think the decision was politically motivated." In response, Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok, the committee's secretary, expressed regret that the opposition had engaged in political attacks throughout the audit despite knowing the minutes could not be released for four years.
In the Climate Energy Environment Labor Committee's audit, disagreements arose over the 'super-wide special zone law,' which aims to provide regulatory exemptions for businesses and regions. Lawmakers debated whether high-income and research workers in the special zones should be exempt from the 52-hour workweek.
Democratic Party members expressed concerns that such exemptions would negatively impact workers' mental and physical health. Conversely, the People Power Party accused the government of trying to evade legislative responsibility through administrative measures. Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, criticized the ruling party for presenting conflicting legislation and stated, "It is irresponsible for the government to claim it will continue to seek social consensus."
Members of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee exchanged barbs regarding the U.S.-Korea alliance and inter-Korean relations. Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae, who had to change the audit team from the Americas to Europe due to delays in U.S. visa issuance, remarked that such issues should be addressed in a bipartisan manner rather than attacking the government. He expressed disappointment over the controversy suggesting that the U.S.-Korea alliance was breaking down, which he believed harmed national interests. In response, opposition secretary Kim Dae-sik from the People Power Party questioned the strength of the current U.S.-Korea relationship.
Tensions also flared over comments made by Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Gi-heon, who referred to U.S. Forces Korea Commander Javier Brunson as "the most arrogant commander in history." Song Seok-jun, the People Power Party's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee chairman, urged restraint in language used regarding important foreign military leaders, emphasizing the need for mutual respect. Lee countered that he had not used offensive language and demanded an apology, leading to heightened emotions.
The National Assembly will begin audits of the concurrent committees from October 28 to 30. A significant clash is anticipated during the Operations Committee's audit of the Presidential Office on October 29, particularly regarding the introduction of single-item leveraged exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and the verification process for ministerial appointments.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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