PPP must show up and vote, Democratic Party acting leader says

Han Byung-do, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Wednesday that the People Power Party — which has been boycotting National Assembly proceedings over a dispute on committee assignments — has an obligation to participate in plenary votes. "No matter how much the ruling and opposition parties disagree, it is the Assembly's duty and its responsibility to the public to reach a conclusion through a vote — whether for or against — on any bill brought before the plenary session," Han said.

Han made the remarks at a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly on Wednesday. "The Assembly must not grind to a halt when people's livelihoods are at stake," he said.

He said that among the 52 bills currently before the plenary session, a significant number had already cleared standing committees and the Legislation and Judiciary Committee without major controversy. He said the Democratic Party would convene a plenary session Thursday to pass livelihood-related legislation.

"No matter how much the People Power Party tries to obstruct, it cannot stop the clock of the National Assembly," Han said. He added that the Democratic Party would not repeat the vicious cycle of the previous Assembly session, which he said was marred by the PPP's "meaningless filibusters" — the use of unlimited debate to legally obstruct legislative proceedings.

Han also addressed the Aug. 17 party leadership convention, now about a month away, urging all candidates and party members to maintain dignified competition. "It should be a festival where the dignity of competition and the value of unity coexist — a healthy arena where we compete on policy and vision and forge even greater innovation," he said. He asked that the convention "give hope to the public, opportunity to the youth, and pride to party members."