The newly elected floor leaders of both parties held their first meeting and agreed to regularize their meetings to discuss current issues. The Democratic Party of Korea stated that it would continue to negotiate as the People Power Party's floor leadership has not yet been formed regarding the plenary session on the 19th.
Kim Byeong-ki, acting leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and floor leader, met with Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, in the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 17th. Acting leader Kim was elected as the new floor leader on the 13th, and floor leader Song was elected the day before.
The floor leaders of both parties agreed to regularize their meetings during a closed-door session. Acting leader Kim told reporters after the meeting, "We mainly discussed practical matters and agreed to regularize the meetings of the floor leaders," adding, "Additionally, we decided to meet frequently and communicate. The floor leaders will meet more often amongst themselves."
The atmosphere during the first meeting of the floor leaders was warm and friendly. Acting leader Kim presented a flower pot to floor leader Song with a note saying, "Congratulations on your election." Floor leader Song also greeted acting leader Kim with a smile before offering his own congratulations.
Floor leader Song noted in his opening remarks, "Acting leader Kim, as many are aware, has been evaluated as careful and rational within the Democratic Party," and stated, "I believe he will lead the ruling party well with rational leadership."
Acting leader Kim also said, "I exchanged opinions and well-wishes with floor leader Song over the phone yesterday (16th)," adding, "He is an expert in budget-related matters and understands the realities and responsibilities of state governance better than anyone else, I expect."
Floor leader Song requested that the vacant positions of chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts be conceded to the opposition People Power Party. He argued that it is a tradition in the National Assembly for opposition members to hold these positions.
Floor leader Song stated, "Unfortunately, the beautiful traditions that senior lawmakers have established in the National Assembly have greatly collapsed," and added, "I've said this several times, but I ask for a review of the chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee positively. It is a tradition of the National Assembly that the leading party takes the chair of the assembly and the second party takes the Legislation and Judiciary Committee to reflect public opinion through mutual checks and balances of legislative rights."
However, the positions of chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts will be discussed again later. The planned plenary session of the National Assembly on the 19th will also be negotiated again after the People Power Party's floor leadership has been established.
Acting leader Kim explained regarding the floor composition, "We haven't discussed the chairperson positions much. This was a preliminary meeting," adding, "The 19th plenary session has not been sufficiently prepared because the senior role of the People Power Party has not been decided yet."