National Assembly kicks off first interpellation session of 2018
- 6 years ago
The National Assembly kicked off its first interpellation session of 2018.
Through the week, Government officials will be in the hotseat, fielding questions on pending issues from lawmakers.
Kim Min-ji has the highlights from day one.
There was no let-up in the verbal sparring by rival lawmakers over inter-Korean relations.
The government and ruling Democratic Party of Korea were on the same page,... saying the opportunity for dialogue is rare,... and they will try to maintain the positive atmosphere after the Winter Olympics are over.
But the opposition raised concerns saying that while it may seem like the two Koreas are on the path to peace,... Pyongyang's participation in the Games is overshadowing its nuclear ambitions,... adding that security requires more than just talking.
"Now is the time to take the strategic move of discussing nuclear armament. What do you think?"
"I have said so many times, but the government continues to pursue a nuclear-free Peninsula. We are protected under Washington's nuclear umbrella and the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains firm."
Another contentious issue was amending the Constitution.
The ruling party reiterated that a referendum must be held alongside local elections in June,... saying the issue has been discussed enough over the years and that holding both votes as the same time will save money.
The opposition argued that the core of the revision needs to be reducing presidential powers,... but claimed that neither the ruling bloc nor the president, has any interest in such a change.
"Back in 2012,... President Moon, as a presidential candidate, claimed it was good to share power. But during his new year's press conference he said he prefers a two-term four year presidency. Now that he is in power,... it seems his aides like the power they have, doesn't it?"
"I am aware he said he prefers a two-term four year presidency throughout campaign last year."
If there was one area where they could come together... it was the need for better management so that accidents,... like the two recent fires that claimed dozens of lives do not occur again.
"I understand that safety inspections kick off this week. We need firm measures regarding safety."
"Until now, when accidents have happened there have been only patchwork remedies. But now, even if it takes time and costs a lot of money,... we will find the root causes and fix the problem."
Rival parties also went after each other over the digging up of irregularities under past governments.
The ruling party denied that recent investigations into the previous conservative governments were "political retaliation,"... while the opposition called for a thorough probe into allegations surrounding the current administration.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.
Through the week, Government officials will be in the hotseat, fielding questions on pending issues from lawmakers.
Kim Min-ji has the highlights from day one.
There was no let-up in the verbal sparring by rival lawmakers over inter-Korean relations.
The government and ruling Democratic Party of Korea were on the same page,... saying the opportunity for dialogue is rare,... and they will try to maintain the positive atmosphere after the Winter Olympics are over.
But the opposition raised concerns saying that while it may seem like the two Koreas are on the path to peace,... Pyongyang's participation in the Games is overshadowing its nuclear ambitions,... adding that security requires more than just talking.
"Now is the time to take the strategic move of discussing nuclear armament. What do you think?"
"I have said so many times, but the government continues to pursue a nuclear-free Peninsula. We are protected under Washington's nuclear umbrella and the South Korea-U.S. alliance remains firm."
Another contentious issue was amending the Constitution.
The ruling party reiterated that a referendum must be held alongside local elections in June,... saying the issue has been discussed enough over the years and that holding both votes as the same time will save money.
The opposition argued that the core of the revision needs to be reducing presidential powers,... but claimed that neither the ruling bloc nor the president, has any interest in such a change.
"Back in 2012,... President Moon, as a presidential candidate, claimed it was good to share power. But during his new year's press conference he said he prefers a two-term four year presidency. Now that he is in power,... it seems his aides like the power they have, doesn't it?"
"I am aware he said he prefers a two-term four year presidency throughout campaign last year."
If there was one area where they could come together... it was the need for better management so that accidents,... like the two recent fires that claimed dozens of lives do not occur again.
"I understand that safety inspections kick off this week. We need firm measures regarding safety."
"Until now, when accidents have happened there have been only patchwork remedies. But now, even if it takes time and costs a lot of money,... we will find the root causes and fix the problem."
Rival parties also went after each other over the digging up of irregularities under past governments.
The ruling party denied that recent investigations into the previous conservative governments were "political retaliation,"... while the opposition called for a thorough probe into allegations surrounding the current administration.
Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.