On the 2nd, floor leader Han Byung-do of the Democratic Party of Korea said to the People Power Party, "If you do not cooperate with the passage of the Special Act on Investment in the United States, the Democratic Party will take measures for the normal operation of the National Assembly."
Han held a press briefing at the National Assembly that day and said, "At a time when securing national security and stability in the people's economy is more urgent than ever, the Special Act on Investment in the United States, on which the lifeline of Korea's key industries depends, has come to a halt due to the People Power Party's irresponsible refusal to proceed with deliberations," and stated accordingly.
He said, "The People Power Party has already promised bipartisan cooperation," adding, "On the 4th of last month, the Democratic Party of Korea and the People Power Party formed a special committee to handle the Special Act on Investment in the United States and agreed to process the bill by Mar. 9."
He went on, "The Democratic Party even yielded the chairpersonship to the People Power Party in hopes of bipartisan cooperation for the national interest. However, the People Power Party is tying up a national economic pending issue under the pretext of handling the judicial reform bill," adding, "If Japan is subject to a 15% tariff but Korea alone reverts to 25%, the price competitiveness in the U.S. market will be a foregone conclusion."
He continued, "The special committee must begin reviewing the bill immediately starting tomorrow (the 3rd) to answer the expectations of our corporations and the people," adding, "However, if the People Power Party refuses to proceed, the Democratic Party will make a significant decision to process the bill in accordance with procedures set by the National Assembly Act."
Han said, "If the People Power Party holds the national interest and people's livelihoods hostage and insists on a National Assembly that does not work, the standing committee chairmanships are nothing more than a carve-up to protect vested interests," adding, "We will review from scratch the overall operation of the National Assembly, including the distribution of standing committee chairmanships. The People Power Party must break away from partisan interests and return immediately to the legislative chamber."