April parliamentary session gets off to bumpy start
- 5 years ago
Monday was meant to be a brand new start for South Korea's National Assembly as they opened a new session.
But rival parties were unable to agree on an agenda.
Things are tense after the president appointed two ministers despite objections from the opposition.
Kim Min-ji reports.
The April parliamentary session kicked off Monday,... but it's had far from a smooth start.
Rival parties met in hopes of setting the agenda for the 30-day session,... but left empty handed.
This was in part fueled by President Moon Jae-in's appointments of his new unification and SME ministers -- which some opposition parties were against.
During their confirmation hearings,... the unification minister came under fire for his past remarks as well as views on North Korea,... while the SME minister was criticized for refusing to submit documents concerning ethical lapses.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party denounced the decision saying it shows the top office's arrogance,... by ignoring the demands of the opposition and the people.
"I believe the president isn't listening to the public sentiment. He has given up on the people."
This could put the brakes on the stack of contentious bills piled up at parliament.
Those include ones related to flexible work hours and the minimum wage system.
The government is also due to submit its supplementary budget proposal aimed at revitalizing the economy.... and tackling fine dust pollution later this month.
The ruling Democratic Party urged rival parties to come together and do their job to deal with issues at stake.
"The National Assembly hasn't been able to pass bills related to economic revitalization or improving people's livelihoods this year due to other issues. Even if there is political strife, we still must get our work done."
While the disputes over the new cabinet appointments have cast a dark cloud over the April session,... rival parties have agreed to work together on urgent issues,... such as the aftermath of the large fire that broke out in Gangwon-do Province last week.
They agreed to make sure that reserve funds and the extra budget can be used to support the affected areas,... and they will contribute a portion of their April salaries to extend a helping hand.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
But rival parties were unable to agree on an agenda.
Things are tense after the president appointed two ministers despite objections from the opposition.
Kim Min-ji reports.
The April parliamentary session kicked off Monday,... but it's had far from a smooth start.
Rival parties met in hopes of setting the agenda for the 30-day session,... but left empty handed.
This was in part fueled by President Moon Jae-in's appointments of his new unification and SME ministers -- which some opposition parties were against.
During their confirmation hearings,... the unification minister came under fire for his past remarks as well as views on North Korea,... while the SME minister was criticized for refusing to submit documents concerning ethical lapses.
The main opposition Liberty Korea Party denounced the decision saying it shows the top office's arrogance,... by ignoring the demands of the opposition and the people.
"I believe the president isn't listening to the public sentiment. He has given up on the people."
This could put the brakes on the stack of contentious bills piled up at parliament.
Those include ones related to flexible work hours and the minimum wage system.
The government is also due to submit its supplementary budget proposal aimed at revitalizing the economy.... and tackling fine dust pollution later this month.
The ruling Democratic Party urged rival parties to come together and do their job to deal with issues at stake.
"The National Assembly hasn't been able to pass bills related to economic revitalization or improving people's livelihoods this year due to other issues. Even if there is political strife, we still must get our work done."
While the disputes over the new cabinet appointments have cast a dark cloud over the April session,... rival parties have agreed to work together on urgent issues,... such as the aftermath of the large fire that broke out in Gangwon-do Province last week.
They agreed to make sure that reserve funds and the extra budget can be used to support the affected areas,... and they will contribute a portion of their April salaries to extend a helping hand.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.