The Democratic Party of Korea intensified pressure on the opposition to expedite passage of the Special Act on US Investment, citing deteriorating international conditions following the US invasion of Iran.
The ruling party warned it would push the bill through via the National Assembly speaker's authority if the People Power Party refuses to participate in deliberations and voting. It also signaled a potential review of the customary allocation of standing committee chairmanships to the opposition.
"At this critical time when we must secure national security and economic stability, the Special Act on US Investment remains stalled due to the People Power Party's irresponsible refusal to proceed," Floor Leader Han Byung-do said at a press briefing at the National Assembly at 11 a.m. on the 2nd.
Han suggested the ruling party could unilaterally pass the bill through the speaker's authority if the opposition continues to delay or obstruct the Special Committee on US Investment. Rep. Kim Sang-hoon of the People Power Party chairs the committee and holds authority to convene it.
"If the People Power Party does not cooperate on passing the bill, the Democratic Party will take measures to ensure normal parliamentary operations," Han emphasized.
Han also pressured the opposition by indicating the ruling party might withhold standing committee chairmanships traditionally allocated to the minority party.
"If the People Power Party insists on a non-functioning National Assembly, we will conduct a comprehensive review from scratch on all aspects of parliamentary operations, including the distribution of committee chairmanships," he said.
Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties continued clashing over the Daegu-North Gyeongsang Province administrative integration special bill. The People Power Party, conscious of declining approval ratings in the Daegu-North Gyeongsang region, reversed its party position and is now pushing for the bill's passage while demanding a plenary session.
The Democratic Party maintains that discussions on a Chungnam-Daejeon integration bill should proceed in parallel, leaving the two sides at an impasse.
"The Democratic Party must immediately convene a plenary session and pass the Daegu-North Gyeongsang administrative integration special bill," the People Power Party demanded.