여, '경제위기 극복' 최우선 모드…개혁입법 '묵은 숙제'도 추진
Following the Democratic Party's landslide victory in the April 15 general elections, all eyes are on how the ruling bloc plans to bring about change in the 21st National Assembly.
Apparently, the focus will first be on overcoming the current economic crisis.
Kim Mok-yeon provide a glimpse of what to expect.
The ruling Democratic Party will prioritize reviving South Korea's economy in the 21st National Assembly.
Speaking at a ceremony to disband the party's election committee on Friday, the co-chair of the committee Lee Nak-yon stressed the importance of bringing about economic recovery.
"In the process of coming up with measures, we have to sympathize with the public. We will look squarely at public livelihoods and the situation that businesses are in, as well as the global economy, and cooperate with the government to come up with solutions."
First off, the ruling party is likely to push ahead with its expansionary fiscal policies and stimulus measures to cope with the economic impact of COVID-19.
The party also plans to step up the Moon administration's reform drive, revise the fair trade act, and strengthen real estate policies.
An expert says that the ruling bloc will also look to speed up the establishment of the investigative organization to oversee the prosecution's probes into high-ranking government officials, and make changes to the bills surrounding the police and the National Intelligence Service.
"With the big win by the ruling party there's going to be a discussion about the anti-corruption agency, how they are expedited and how they're going to change the role of the prosecutors' office and the police. The ruling party, with a big win in the 2018 local elections and another big win this time, are going to have more of a mandate from the people to proceed with their agenda in the future."
The Democratic Party's 180 seats is significant in South Korean politics, as it is the threshold for votes that can allow the passage of fast-track bills.
The fast-track system prevents contentious bills from being stuck in limbo -- automatically putting them up for a vote after 330 days at the longest.
To be fast-tracked, a bill needs three-fifths of the total lawmakers, or 180 votes, which the ruling party already has.
Those seats are also enough for the ruling party to end filibusters on its own.
So the ruling party will be able to pass bills without the support of other parties, except for revising the constitution which requires at least 200 votes.
Kim Mok-yeon, Arirang News.
