The People Power Party (PPP) strongly urged the resumption of discussions on the special bill for administrative integration of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, demanding that "the Democratic Party immediately end its 'time-wasting tactics' holding the TK region hostage."
Choi Su-jin, chief spokesperson for the PPP floor leadership, issued a statement on the 2nd, saying "the aspirations of 5 million citizens are being trampled by the ruling party's petty delaying tactics."
"Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Choo Mi-ae unilaterally suspended deliberation of the Daegu-North Gyeongsang integration bill, citing 'opposition from the Daegu City Council,'" Choi said. "But that flimsy excuse was instantly shattered when the city council issued a statement of full support."
"With their shield gone, the Democratic Party is now making the absurd claim that 'the opposition is lukewarm,'" she continued. "The PPP has already consolidated the consensus of all Daegu and North Gyeongsang lawmakers into an official party position, and our floor leader has personally pressed strongly for expedited handling."
Choi added that the Democratic Party even offered "the bizarre excuse that they cannot convene the Judiciary Committee due to the filibuster." She noted, "In response, the PPP made a magnanimous decision. To break the ruling party's obstruction holding regional development hostage, we boldly suspended our filibuster entirely—the opposition's legitimate tool of resistance."
She also criticized Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do for "dragging in local councils that have no authority and making petty excuses, demanding we 'submit a unified proposal with sincerity.'" She pointed out that "there was also opposition from local councils regarding the Gwangju-South Jeolla integration in their own stronghold. This is a malicious excuse meaning 'we'll take care of our turf while trampling the conservative Yeongnam region.'"
"The Democratic Party must immediately stop this pathetic 'relay of excuses' and convene the Judiciary Committee to pass the integration bill," Choi concluded. "Now that all justifications have evaporated, if they abandon the people's aspirations once again, the angry public sentiment of Yeongnam will thoroughly punish their arrogance and hypocrisy."