Legislative offensive ahead of the 22nd first regular session of the National Assembly
Some criticize, “We should have chosen and focused.”
Inside the opposition party: “The livelihood bill must have sincerity”
The People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea announced 170 and 165 priority legislative tasks, respectively, ahead of the first regular session of the 22nd National Assembly. Even within the People Power Party, there were criticisms that “even though it is not easy to select and concentrate in a situation where the ruling party is in power, they have legislated ‘department store-style’.” Within the Democratic Party, there was self-mockery that “they have proposed a lot of bills, but instead of processing the bills, the resolution is full of messages about ‘fighting against the government.’”
The People Power Party announced on the 30th after a two-day and one-night seminar that it would prioritize the promotion of 170 bills in six areas, including △revitalizing the people’s economy, △overcoming the low birth rate, △medical reform, △discovering future food sources, △balanced regional development, and △people’s safety, as the “Republic of Korea Change-Up” bills. People Power Party Policy Committee Chairman Kim Sang-hoon said, “We will do our best as a responsible ruling party to delve deep into the people’s livelihoods and serve as a catalyst for change into a better Republic of Korea.”
However, criticisms were raised both inside and outside the party that it was a “rehash of bills.” This was because many bills overlapped with the 40 bills in five major areas that were presented as key legislative tasks at a workshop held immediately after the opening of the 22nd National Assembly in May. A People Power Party official said, “It feels similar to last time, except for the deepfake sex crimes that stand out.” He added, “We should have put in more effort to make it not feel like a rehash.”
There are also claims that the ruling party, with 108 seats, should have focused on selection and concentration since it is impossible to process bills on its own. A proportional representation member of the ruling party said, “We are being dragged around by the Democratic Party, which has 170 seats, in various standing committees,” and “If we are behind in the number of seats, we should have at least the support of the people. It is true that we should have been more selective and focused in order to appeal to the people.”
The Democratic Party announced a total of 165 regular session legislative tasks, including 102 livelihood and economy-related legislation and 27 “national savior” laws, after finishing a workshop held during the same period. While the Democratic Party did not disclose the details of the legislative tasks that day, it was reported that several bills that had been criticized as “populism” by the ruling party were included, such as the introduction of a 4.5-day workweek and the payment of basic income for newborns. In addition, regarding the “Act on the Prevention of Appointment of Pro-Japanese Personnel to Public Office” (Special Act on the Prohibition of Appointment of Those Who Denied the Constitution or Distorted History to Public Office), which was adopted as a party platform targeting Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, there was criticism in the political world that it is an “unconstitutional bill that infringes on freedom of expression.”
In his closing remarks at the workshop, Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae emphasized, “President Yoon’s state briefing was a self-congratulatory feast of arrogance and self-righteousness,” and “The National Assembly must do more to fulfill its role as the president and the government fail to fulfill their roles and neglect the people’s livelihoods.” However, the 1,200-character resolution announced by Democratic Party lawmakers that day mainly contained criticism of the administration, such as an impeachment petition targeting President Yoon, rather than livelihood issues. While President Yoon condemned the state administration, mentioning “number 9,” he only mentioned “saving the people’s livelihoods” twice. A Democratic Party official criticized, “He said he would take responsibility for the people’s livelihoods, but it is true that he focused only on criticizing the government rather than on productive alternatives,” and “While the offensive against the government is good, he must first show sincerity in livelihood bills such as reducing household debt.”
Reporter Kim Seong-mo [email protected]
Reporter Seungwoo Lee [email protected]
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2024-08-31 05:33:13