Democratic Party Floor Leader Han Byung-do said Wednesday that the ruling party will "humbly accept the will of the people and look after their lives with a more modest attitude," following the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections. He outlined plans to swiftly conclude the second-half National Assembly committee restructuring and accelerate legislation aimed at restoring livelihoods.
Speaking at a policy coordination meeting at the National Assembly, Han said, "This local election drew the highest voter turnout since the first local election in 1995, reflecting strong interest and participation from the electorate." He added, "We confirmed the public's desire for change, their aspiration for a great leap forward for Korea, and their wish for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
"We have also been given the heavy task of heeding the public's stern command to be more humble before the people's will and to swiftly improve their livelihoods," he said. "The Democratic Party will take the painful criticism deeply to heart and strive to be reborn as a more capable party for the people's livelihoods."
Referring to defeated candidates including Kim Boo-kyum, who ran for Daegu mayor; Oh Joong-ki, who ran for North Gyeongsang governor; Kim Kyoung-soo, who ran for South Gyeongsang governor; and Jung Won-oh, who ran for Seoul mayor, Han said, "It is regrettable that we could not bear fruit in the end, but we will embrace the candidates' visions and devote ourselves to building a better Korea."
Han also proposed to the People Power Party that they finalize the second-half National Assembly committee structure. "The top priority for second-half National Assembly operations will be improving people's livelihoods," he said. "Given that livelihood and economic legislation is the most urgent task for overcoming the Middle East crisis and stabilizing people's livelihoods, we will actively cooperate with the opposition party for the sake of the people's livelihoods."
He added, "The party, government and presidential office will do their best to deliver tangible results that the people can feel. In the second year of the Lee Jae-myung administration, we will concentrate the party's energy on restoring livelihoods, achieving major social reforms, and propelling Korea's great leap forward."
On the ballot shortage that occurred during the election, Han said, "The National Election Commission, which should safeguard trust in elections, has abandoned its own duty." He urged, "The commission must immediately identify the cause of this incident and establish measures to prevent its recurrence."
