Assembly speaker calls for permanent cooperation framework with business community

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jeong-sik held a forum Tuesday with the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry, chaired by Chey Tae-won, to discuss ways for the Assembly and the business community to cooperate in driving a major economic leap forward for South Korea.

The meeting came two days after President Lee Jae Myung presided over a national briefing on his administration's three mega-projects for Korea's economic advancement, unveiling plans to foster the semiconductor industry and promote balanced regional development.

Cho had previously outlined his vision for the second half of the Assembly's term around two themes: a "people's livelihood" legislature that changes citizens' daily lives, and a "future leap" legislature that prepares the country for prosperity. His direct engagement with the business community was seen as a clear signal that the Assembly views companies not merely as subjects of regulation, but as partners in restoring livelihoods and building future growth.

In his opening remarks, Cho said the forum marked "a new starting point for cooperation in which the National Assembly and the business community together shape South Korea's economic growth strategy."

He also said the sweeping transitions underway — including the AI revolution and supply chain realignment — represent "an opportunity for South Korea to leap forward again." He described the large-scale investment plans announced by the government and businesses on June 29 as "a preemptive response to these changes."

Cho said the Assembly would be "a reliable partner that supports businesses through systems and policies so they can invest and innovate freely."

To that end, Cho raised the need for a standing cooperation framework through which the Assembly and the business community could communicate regularly and work out solutions together. He proposed "creating a permanent cooperative structure that connects the voices from the economic front lines to the Assembly's legislation and policy."

KCCI Chairman Chey said in his opening remarks that "AI is changing the way industries operate and the way people work," and that "the legal and institutional environment must be put in place in a timely manner for new technologies to be adopted and invested in."

Chey also said he hoped the meeting would serve as an opportunity for the Assembly and the business community "to look more closely at the field and meet more often going forward." He added that "if this kind of communication expands, our potential can translate into growth, and that growth can reach the lives of the people."

Jang Hyeon-ju, chief communications officer at the Speaker's office, told reporters after the closed-door session that Cho had listened to participants' voices from the economic front lines and reiterated the need for a standing communication and cooperation framework between the Assembly and the business community. Jang said Chey and the other participants shared that view.

Attendees included KCCI Chairman Chey Tae-won, Samsung Electronics President Park Seung-hee, Hyundai Motor President Sung Kim, LG Group President Ha Beom-jong, CJ Group President Heo Min-hoe, SK Group Vice Chairman Lee Hyeong-hee, Korean Air Vice Chairman Woo Gi-hong, E-mart President Han Chae-yang, Doosan President Kim Dong-geun, Hanwha President Kim Seung-mo, HD Hyundai Vice President Ryu Geun-chan, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials CEO Seong Nak-yang, Posco Holdings Vice President Yang Won-jun, GS Vice President Choi Nu-ri and Lotte Holdings Vice President Im Seong-bok.