Kwon Seong-dong, the People Power Party's floor leader, and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea leader, will deliver speeches at the National Assembly's party negotiating group from the 10th to the 11th. Lee is expected to focus on industrial promotion policies under the theme of 'recovery and growth' in his speech. Kwon plans to address criticisms of Lee's recent 'rightward shift' and discuss constitutional amendments.
The National Assembly will conduct speeches from party negotiating groups during the February extraordinary session from the 10th to the 11th. The Democratic Party will have Lee speaking on the 10th, while the People Power Party's Kwon will take the floor on the 11th. The National Assembly will hold a government question session from the 12th to the 14th. During this period, both ruling and opposition parties are expected to clash over issues such as the supplementary budget, the Semiconductor Special Act, and National Pension reform.
Lee is expected to present his vision for future governance, focusing on recovery and growth in his speech. He will specifically outline plans for supporting policies aimed at revitalizing the people's economy through the supplementary budget and promoting industries such as artificial intelligence (AI), bio, and culture.
The Democratic Party stated, "Lee emphasizes the need for creating new growth engines for a robust social safety net and will stress national support and promotion policies for industries," adding that he will propose a national balanced development policy that takes the climate crisis as an opportunity for the Korean Peninsula and advocate for national support.
Lee is also expected to include messages about overcoming the state of emergency declared by President Yoon Seok-yeol on Dec. 3, and fostering national unity. The Democratic Party noted, "In particular, Lee will pledge that the Democratic Party will take the lead in building a 'true democratic republic' where the will of the people is reflected in governance through overcoming insurrection and based on national unity."
Kwon is anticipated to raise his voice against the Democratic Party's 'legislative monopoly' and Lee's 'rightward shift.' He will reportedly present solutions regarding the people's economy, including the supplementary budget and remedies for worsening economic and security situations.
Kwon stated on the 7th, "The zigzagging actions of the Democratic Party's Lee Jae-myung faction are causing confusion among the people," and described Lee's rightward shift as "a watermelon that is different inside and outside, and also a 'seedless watermelon' that has removed the seeds for the future."
Following the party negotiating group speeches, the government question session is expected to continue discussions related to the supplementary budget, pension reforms, and the Semiconductor Special Act. Questions are also expected regarding the 'Blue Whale' project in the East Sea that the government discontinued due to economic viability concerns.
Initially, the ruling and opposition parties intended to hold a four-party meeting involving Acting President Choi Sang-mok, the Minister of Strategy and Finance, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se, and Lee. However, the ruling party has requested a postponement, insisting that agenda coordination must take precedence.