Han Byung-do, floor leader of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, expressed regret over the People Power Party's boycott of the National Assembly Steering Committee's vote on a resolution urging the expulsion of PPP Rep. Lee Jin-sook.
Speaking at a supreme council meeting held in Andong at the party's North Gyeongsang provincial headquarters on the 26th, Han said, "Yesterday, the National Assembly Steering Committee passed the resolution urging Rep. Lee Jin-sook's expulsion with the unanimous support of all 17 committee members present." He added, "I express deep regret that not a single People Power Party lawmaker attended."
"As the Steering Committee chairman who handled the expulsion resolution, I felt truly disheartened," he said. "With the May 18 issue still under dispute, I hope the People Power Party will also join us in standing firmly on the side of democracy."
Han also addressed the plenary session scheduled for that afternoon. "In today's afternoon plenary session, we will pass all pending bills," he said. "We will do our utmost to the very end."
"During the 100 days of the regular session that begins on September 1, we will treasure every minute and second and deliver results that the public can feel," he said. "Under close and organic cooperation among the party, government and presidential office, we will further accelerate legislation for people's livelihoods so that the achievements of the Lee Jae-myung administration fully return to the public."
"We will not tolerate for a single moment any attempt to obstruct state affairs by holding people's livelihoods hostage," Han said. "We will not let go of the thread of negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties, but on matters directly tied to people's livelihoods and national development, the Democratic Party will carry out its duties without hesitation in accordance with the National Assembly Act." He added, "I hope the People Power Party will also stop shutting down the Assembly and cooperate in a forward-looking manner."
