Smile for the Group Photo, Even With So Much to Fight About

South Korea’s ruling and opposition lawmakers smiled together for a group photograph, even as they prepare for a contentious parliamentary session.

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik, Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and other lawmakers gathered on the steps of the Assembly building in Seoul. The regular session opened on the 1st, but rain and other weather conditions delayed the outdoor commemorative photograph until the 3rd.

The 100-day session runs through Dec. 9. Lawmakers are expected to face off over confirmation hearings following a partial cabinet reshuffle, property-tax reform, judicial reform bills and next year’s budget, which totals 821 trillion won.

The photographs capture the lawmakers smiling before those battles begin. In one image, Kim and Jang speak before the group shot. In another, lawmakers hold hands while following instructions from National Assembly staff. The final group photograph places Cho at the center of the front row, alongside the leaders of the Democratic Party, People Power Party and Rebuilding Korea Party, as well as former first-half Speaker Woo Won-shik.