Assembly speaker pledges close cooperation with administration in meeting with PM

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik met with Prime Minister Kim Min-seok on Wednesday afternoon, pledging to "communicate closely and cooperate with the administration to improve the lives of the people and drive South Korea's economic leap forward." Kim had called on the speaker to offer congratulations on his election to the post.

During the meeting, Cho marked the 39th anniversary of the June 10 Democracy Movement, calling it "the starting point that swept away the darkness of military dictatorship and opened an era of direct presidential elections, restoring the people's right to political participation and popular sovereignty." He then addressed the ballot shortage that occurred during the June 3 local elections, calling it "a grave incident that violated the people's right to vote and shook the credibility of election administration — the very foundation of procedural democracy."

Cho said a thorough investigation into the incident and systemic reform were urgently needed. "The National Assembly will conduct a swift parliamentary investigation to establish the facts, draw up reform measures for the National Election Commission, and fulfill its role in fully guaranteeing popular sovereignty," he said. He also called on the government to act: "With a joint prosecution-police investigative headquarters being established, I ask that the investigation be carried out swiftly and thoroughly."

Cho also addressed Kim's recent indication that he intends to return to the Assembly. "You designed the governing plan of the Lee Jae Myung administration and led its first Cabinet, delivering significant results through outstanding and steady leadership," Cho said. "As a senior lawmaker with extensive governing experience, I ask that you play a major role in helping the Assembly and our politics take another step forward."

Kim, in turn, praised the speaker. "You have built broad relationships that allow you to exercise mediation between the ruling and opposition parties, and your understanding of politics and policy runs very deep," he said. "I look forward to your playing a great role as the head of the Assembly, which must serve as a stabilizing force amid South Korea's many challenges."

Kim added that he hoped Cho would "demonstrate outstanding leadership to accelerate legislation addressing various political, economic and social problems, and to ensure that constitutional reform continues to move forward." On the ballot shortage, Kim called it "an unprecedented democratic challenge" and urged the Assembly to "take the lead by conducting a parliamentary investigation into the reform of the National Election Commission."