The Democratic Party of Korea will hold a general assembly of lawmakers Thursday to discuss the government's recently announced tax reform package and real estate supply measures. The party's housing market stabilization task force is also set to convene and map out its response to the government's real estate policy.
Floor spokesperson Kim Seong-hoe told reporters after a floor strategy meeting at the National Assembly on Tuesday that the party plans to hold the caucus Thursday to discuss the tax reform plan and housing supply measures with lawmakers. He added that the housing market stabilization TF is scheduled to meet Wednesday.
Kim said the Special Inspector nomination process is expected to wrap up next week. The party sent an official letter to the Korean Bar Association on Monday requesting attorney recommendations, with a deadline of 4 p.m. Friday. "Once three candidates are recommended, we expect the National Assembly to vote on the three nominees at a plenary session next week," he said.
The Special Inspector oversees the president's spouse, close relatives and Cheong Wa Dae officials at the senior secretary level and above. The office was established during the Park Geun-hye administration but has never been filled beyond the inaugural appointee. Under the process, the National Assembly recommends three candidates and approves them at a plenary session, after which the president designates one, who then undergoes a confirmation hearing before being formally appointed. The People Power Party has put forward attorney Kang Ji-sik, the Democratic Party has nominated attorney Choi Gil-su, and the remaining slot in the recommendation process is to be filled by a nominee from the Korean Bar Association.
The Democratic Party decided not to hold open supreme council meetings until its leadership convention on Aug. 17. The decision follows recent public clashes among supreme council members divided between factions loyal to Lee Jae-myung and those aligned with Jung Chung-rae. Floor leader Han told reporters Tuesday that closed-door supreme council sessions are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, and that a party affairs committee meeting is also planned.
The Democratic Party has typically held supreme council meetings chaired by the party leader on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, while the floor leader has presided over floor strategy meetings and policy coordination meetings on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Since Jung stepped down to seek reelection as party leader, Han has been chairing supreme council meetings in his capacity as acting party leader.
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