South Korean Assembly Speaker Urges Swift Deal on Parliamentary Composition by July 17

National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik has called on the leaders of South Korea's major political parties to expedite negotiations and finalize the parliamentary composition by July 17, National Foundation Day. The speaker met with floor leaders from the Democratic Party and the People Power Party on Tuesday to discuss the pressing matter.

Cho emphasized the need for a swift agreement not only on the formation of parliamentary committees but also on the July legislative agenda. He highlighted that approximately 59 bills from the previous parliamentary term remain unprocessed, underscoring the urgency of addressing public welfare legislation.

Following the meeting, a spokesperson for the Speaker's office stated that both parties expressed a general consensus on the necessity of rapid negotiations for the parliamentary setup. However, the spokesperson noted that the specific approach the opposition party will take in future discussions remains to be observed.

When questioned about contingency plans should the negotiations fail before National Foundation Day, the spokesperson indicated that it was too early to discuss specific measures, stating that the focus remains on observing the progress of the ongoing discussions. The Speaker also addressed the possibility of convening a plenary session, noting that while the Democratic Party had requested one, the Speaker opted for another round of direct talks between the floor leaders to encourage a faster resolution.